JR Motorsports is making its debut in a NASCAR Cup Series race.
The team, owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., will compete in the 2025 Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier as the driver. Allgaier, who claimed the 2024 Xfinity Series championship, has been racing for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s No. 2 series since 2016.
The car will be sponsored by Chris Stapleton’s whiskey brand.
“We’ve been waiting for the right moment for JR Motorsports,” Junior said in a statement.
“With Justin winning the Xfinity Series championship and Chris Stapleton’s undeniable star power, the planets aligned for this perfect opportunity to enter this year’s Daytona 500.”
Allgaier has consistently finished in the top five of the Xfinity Series standings over the past six seasons, with his November title being the first of his career.
JR Motorsports has been a prominent presence in the Xfinity Series since its inception in 2005. However, unlike many other Xfinity Series teams over the past two decades, the team has not attempted to move up to NASCAR's top series. Junior retired from full-time
NASCAR racing at the end of the 2017 season but has made at least one Xfinity Series start each year for the team he co-owns with his sister, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller.
The team’s entry into the Daytona 500 signifies that there are now over 40 cars vying for a spot in the 40-car 2025 Daytona 500 field. The No. 40 car is the 41st confirmed entry, with cars expected for Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. The No. 66 MBM Motorsports team has announced its participation in the race but is currently seeking a driver.
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