The excitement surrounding the Daytona 500 is palpable as the countdown continues to the pivotal Duel races on Thursday evening. For some hopefuls, their aspirations of competing in NASCAR’s premier event will come to a halt after these races. The entry list has grown to an impressive 45 vehicles, including the 36 chartered entries that have secured their positions. However, with only 41 slots available on the grid, the competition is fierce.
During the time trials on Wednesday and the subsequent heat races, a total of eight drivers will be battling for the final four spots. Notably, Jimmie Johnson, included as a ninth open entry, is guaranteed a place in the lineup thanks to a special provisional that secures his participation.
So, who are the drivers vying for a chance to compete in the Daytona 500? Below is an in-depth examination of each open entry, though it is worth noting that four of them will ultimately miss out on racing in the 68th edition of ‘The Great American Race’ set for February 15 at the Daytona International Speedway.
Open Entry Contenders
Justin Allgaier – No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
Co-owned by the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports returns to the Daytona 500 with high hopes. This team has achieved great success in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) and made its inaugural appearance in the 500 as an open entry last year. Justin Allgaier, the reigning NOAPS champion, qualified on speed, marking his first attempt at the race in ten years and finishing impressively in the top ten. With a powerful Hendrick engine, they are seen as strong contenders to qualify again.
Corey LaJoie – No. 99 RFK Racing Ford
Corey LaJoie has established himself as a formidable competitor on superspeedways, supported by a team with a history of two Daytona 500 victories. In 2025, he secured a place in the race with Rick Ware Racing, a team with fewer resources than RFK. LaJoie was in contention for victory last year before a last-lap crash sidelined him while he was running within the top five. Should he qualify, this would mark LaJoie’s tenth consecutive participation in NASCAR’s most prestigious race, where he has previously achieved a fourth-place finish.
Corey Heim – No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota
As the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, Corey Heim is looking to make his Daytona 500 debut with the support of three chartered teammates, alongside team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, both of whom have won the race three times. Although 2024 will see him compete in 12 Cup races, this will be his first attempt on a superspeedway. Heim is no stranger to disappointment; he missed a race last summer at the Chicago Street Course in a 23XI car.
Chandler Smith – No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Front Row Motorsports is set to field a fourth open entry at Daytona, featuring Truck Series regular Chandler Smith. This will be Smith’s third effort to qualify for the 500, having previously attempted with different teams. Unfortunately, he has yet to succeed, failing to qualify with Kaulig in 2023 and Garage 66 in 2025.
Anthony Alfredo – No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Beard Motorsports, a part-time team emphasizing superspeedway events, has received technical assistance from Richard Childress Racing. This year marks their tenth consecutive bid for the Daytona 500, having only missed the race three times. Regrettably, one of those DNQs occurred last year with Alfredo, although the duo did successfully qualify in 2024.
JJ Yeley – No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
JJ Yeley is a seasoned competitor known for his resilience, attempting to make it into the race as a true underdog. With nearly 400 Cup starts over the past two decades, he has made eleven previous attempts at the Daytona 500 with nine different teams. Although he has six prior starts in the event, his last four attempts resulted in DNQs. This year marks his first endeavor with the NY Racing Team, which last qualified for the 500 in 2022 with Greg Biffle.
Casey Mears – No. 66 Garage 66 Ford
Casey Mears, an experienced Cup driver yet to secure his spot in the race, is racing for a team with a mixed history of qualifying for Daytona. Approaching 500 Cup starts, Mears has participated in the 500 thirteen times, nearly securing a victory in 2006 with a second-place finish. Over his career, he has made 15 attempts at the 500, missing out in both 2010 and 2011. Despite his wealth of experience, Mears hasn’t attempted the Daytona 500 in seven years, with his team last qualifying for the opener in 2020.
BJ McLeod – No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
As both a driver and team owner, BJ McLeod previously had a chartered entry but sold it for over $40 million, resulting in a transition to a part-time operation. With five Daytona 500 appearances under his belt, he has not qualified as an open entry in the last two years. Although the odds are against him, McLeod’s connections in the garage could prove beneficial at the drafting-heavy Daytona.
Locked In Contender
Jimmie Johnson – No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
This entry is monumental. Jimmie Johnson, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time Cup Series champion, drives a car he co-owns as he prepares for his 23rd Daytona 500, a race he has claimed victory in twice (2006, 2013). Unlike the other competitors listed, he is guaranteed a spot through the Open Exemption Provisional, which provides an additional grid position for all-star drivers. Johnson boasts 700 Cup starts and an impressive 83 wins, placing him sixth in the all-time wins standings. He finished third in last year’s Daytona 500, marking his first top-five finish since 2020.
