Helio Castroneves serves as one of the drivers for the 67th DAYTONA 500 open teams on Sunday. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As NASCAR prepares to open the 2025 season, the 67th DAYTONA 500 will see the largest entry list the event has seen since the 2015 installment with one of the most diverse and stacked non-charter classes of drivers since the adaptation of the charter system in 2016.
Eight “open” teams pursued their path into the 67th installment of “The Great American Race” with one team knowing that no matter what happens between qualifying on Wednesday night or Thursday night’s Duel at Daytona they will see the green flag come Sunday.
From NASCAR champions, a global superstar to a crop of up and coming NASCAR XFINITY and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series talent and one of the most anticipated entries in years make up just a portion of this nine car group, each one carries their own story coming into the event.
Two of these teams secured entry into the DAYTONA 500 with Front Row Qualifying while the fastest two entries locked into the show come Sunday regardless of the outcome of the Duel at Daytona. Then, the other two entries needed to find their way in through the aforementioned 150-mile event Thursday night.
To say that it has been a tumultuous year and change for Corey LaJoie would be an understatement. LaJoie, originally viewed as the building block of Spire Motorsports, was moved midseason in 2024 for Justin Haley, where he would find his new home in Rick Ware Racing. Now, LaJoie competes this season in a limited capacity behind the wheel of the No. 01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in an effort to establish his Stacking Pennies Performance brand.
Justin Allgaier in the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet for JR Motorsports during Daytona Duel 1 (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
Arguably one of the most ever-present rumors and hopes of NASCAR fans for what has felt like years has been the prospect of the Dale Earnhardt Jr-led JR Motorsports taking a swing at the NASCAR Cup Series.
For fans, that time is finally here. The iconic NASCAR XFINITY Series powerhouse organization will attempt to make their first foray into the NASCAR Cup Series in the 67th annual DAYTONA 500 as 2024 XFINITY Series champion Justin Allgaier takes the reigns of the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet in a partnership between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and country music star Chris Stapleton.
NY Racing returned for another shot at the DAYTONA 500 with JJ Yeley behind the wheel of their No. 44 Chevrolet. The fledgling team hoped to return to the DAYTONA 500 starting grid for the first time since their 2022 efforts with Greg Biffle after skipping 2023 and narrowly missing out on the upset story of the year last year. Unfortunately, they came up a few positions short and will miss “The Great American Race” field for a second consecutive year.
As Martin Truex Jr. understands for the 67th DAYTONA 500, before you win the race, you have to qualify. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. is looking for one more ride after completing his final full time season in 2024. This time, he attempts his latest 500 effort in a familiar number. Truex will pilot the No. 56 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Craftsman Truck Series outfit TRICON Garage, who much like the aforementioned JR Motorsports, takes their first crack at stock car racing’s highest level.
With help from Joe Gibbs Racing as well as the return of Truex’s long time and championship winning crew chief Cole Pearn, TRICON Garage hopes to make a big splash at Daytona after making the field.
In terms of an underdog story, look no further than the No. 62 Beard Motorsports outfit piloted by Anthony Alfredo. A consistent presence when the Cup Series enters a plate race, the small family run operation pursued their seventh start in the DAYTONA 500 with Alfredo at the wheel. Unlike last year’s Cinderella story, the clock struck midnight in their Duel No. 2 race on Thursday night.
The MBM Motorsports, now rebranded Garage 66 entry, saw its efforts spearheaded by NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver Chandler Smith in the No. 66 Quick Tie Ford Mustang Dark Horse after the team’s original plans to field Mike Wallace were stopped by NASCAR ahead of “The Great American Race.” The team hoped to make their first start in the event since 2020’s running where they finished 27th.
Another dark horse to keep an eye on, especially in Thursday night’s Duel at Daytona, is the No. 78 Chevrolet of BJ McLeod driving for his own part-time Live Fast Motorsports operation. One of the most quietly consistent superspeedway racers, on any race day at the big tracks, McLeod always seems to find himself in the fight when it matters the most. As determined as his efforts were, McLeod will miss the big dance.
Jimmie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal hope to find some (Orlando) Magic ahead of the 67th DAYTONA 500. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is back for his third round of the DAYTONA 500 behind the wheel of his now self-owned No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY Motor Club. The NSCAR Hall of Famer look to turn the DAYTONA 500 into his 699th Cup Series start in order to celebrate start number 700 as he partners with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to adorn his car in tribute to O’Neal’s time with the nearby Orlando Magic.
The final open entry is the entry, automatically in on Sunday regardless of outcome, of Trackhouse Racing with third driver Helio Castroneves, INDYCAR legend. The team was awarded the NASCAR Open Exemption Provisional which ensures they make the show. This came in handy after wrecking in Duel No. 1 at Daytona.
Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, multiple time champion of the Rolex 24 at Daytona and a tsunami of other motorsports accolades, looks to add stock car racing’s biggest prize to his collection and join Trackhouse Racing teammate Shane Van Gisbergen as global motorsports stars to win on debut.
