
After nearly 25 years in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, JR Motorsports (JRM) is finally making its much-anticipated leap to the Cup Series in 2025. The team, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, announced Wednesday that they will attempt to qualify for the prestigious Daytona 500 on February 16 with reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the No. 40 Chevrolet.
This marks JRM’s first-ever foray into the Cup Series, and they’ve teamed up with 10-time Grammy Award-winning musician Chris Stapleton, who is sponsoring the No. 40 car through his Traveller Whiskey brand. Greg Ives, a seasoned crew chief at JRM, will guide Allgaier as they aim for a spot in the “Great American Race,” a milestone that has the team and its partners buzzing with excitement.
“It’s been really special,” Allgaier said, reflecting on the opportunity. “To be at an organization like this and to be able to make a team debut at the Daytona 500, that’s special. Obviously, we have to qualify our way in. It’s going to be difficult, but there wouldn’t be anybody that I’d rather tackle this opportunity with than Dale, Kelley, and the entire JRM crew.”
The announcement comes after months of speculation surrounding JRM’s eventual entry into the Cup Series. Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself admitted last season that the team had long been considering a Cup venture, either through securing a charter or teaming up with an existing organization. The timing just felt right in 2025, with Allgaier’s success in the Xfinity Series and the star power of Chris Stapleton aligning perfectly.
“We’ve been waiting for the right moment,” Earnhardt Jr. said in a press release. “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.”
The partnership with Stapleton came through discussions between him and Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. Kelley Earnhardt Miller explained that when Hendrick caught wind of the Earnhardt family’s interest in moving into the Cup Series, he saw the potential to bring Stapleton on board and pass the opportunity to JRM. With that, everything fell into place.
“There’s nobody like Justin who knows our organization, who knows our needs, who can meet those needs and really deliver for this partner all year long,” Kelley said. “So it was just the perfect storm. You had a partner who was excited to be in the Daytona 500, and you had a team with a driver like Justin who wanted to be there too.”
For Allgaier, this marks a significant step in his career. The 38-year-old veteran has had a remarkable run in the Xfinity Series, including leading JR Motorsports to its fourth championship title in 2024. The championship was a long-awaited triumph for Allgaier, who claimed his first-ever Xfinity title after seven appearances in the Championship 4. However, Allgaier’s Cup Series experience is limited, with only two previous Daytona 500 appearances in 2014 and 2015, driving for former team owner Harry Scott Jr. His most recent Cup start came in the 2024 Coca-Cola 600, where he filled in for Kyle Larson in Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevrolet, finishing a respectable 13th.
Despite the challenges of attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 as an open, non-charter team, Allgaier is focused and determined. “The first goal is to make the race,” he said. “We have to go make the race. After that, you switch your focus to, ‘If we make the race, how do we go win the race?’ I’m not showing up to run 30th. We’re going to try to win the Daytona 500. What a story that would be. I don’t know if it’s in the cards, but it would be really special.”
Allgaier’s confidence is rooted in his deep connection with JR Motorsports, the organization he has called home for the past several years. He’s familiar with the team’s dynamics and their ability to succeed when given the right resources and support. And with the backing of a musician as influential as Chris Stapleton, who has already made a name for himself in the motorsports world, this entry into the Daytona 500 has the potential to capture the attention of fans everywhere.
“This is truly the first,” Allgaier continued. “You can never go back and do things over again. To be the person that gets to make that debut, it’s a warm, fuzzy feeling. I want to succeed, and I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity.”
Whether or not JR Motorsports can secure a spot in the 2025 Daytona 500 remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this entry is one of the most exciting developments of the season. With Allgaier behind the wheel, Stapleton’s backing, and JRM’s strong pedigree in the Xfinity Series, the team will be giving everything they’ve got to make a statement at Daytona and beyond. And if Allgaier’s ambition to win the race is any indication, the No. 40 Chevrolet will be one to watch when the green flag drops on February 16.
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