JR Motorsports Will Return for 2026 Daytona 500

For the second straight year, JR Motorsports will enter the No. 40 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier driving. The longtime NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team made its Cup Series debut in last year’s race, with Allgaier in the No. 40 sponsored by Traveller Whiskey. On Friday, JR Motorsports confirmed that Traveller Whiskey will be returning to sponsor the entry for a second straight year. The brand, owned by country music star Chris Stapleton, was recently named Best of Class American Blended Whiskey at the New York World Spirits Competition. “Getting the opportunity to enter a second Daytona 500 is something that is extremely special to everyone at JR Motorsports,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “Last year was an amazing moment and I’m very proud to be able to see this group come back together with the support of Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey to go after it again in February.” The announcement of JR Motorsports’ return was simple and to the point. “You didn’t think this was a one and done, did you?” Allgaier said in a social media release Friday. Presuming the entry qualifies for the starting lineup, it will be Allgaier’s 84th career Cup Series start, and second with JR Motorsports. “I’m honored to be able to have the chance to drive this Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet again for Dale, Kelley and all of JR Motorsports,” Allgaier said in a statement. “Last year was such an incredible opportunity and experience and I am really thankful that Chris Stapleton and Traveller wanted to come back and be a part of this again. We had the speed last year and I know that we will again to make it into the Daytona 500. It’s going to be an unbelievable time.” Last year the JR Motorsports entry was not locked in to the field ahead of race day, but Allgaier was able to qualify his way in by finishing ninth in his Duel race. He started 19th in the Daytona 500 lineup, failing to lead a lap but finishing an impressive ninth. The effort was only Allgaier’s second Cup Series top-ten, and Dale Earnhardt Jr’s first as a team owner. If any owner knows the formula for success at Daytona International Speedway, it seems certain that it would be Earnhardt. The NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee has won four times at Daytona in the Cup Series, on top of six in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. As a team owner, Earnhardt has seen JR Motorsports win nine times at Daytona in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In August 2025 the team’s No. 88 squad pulled off a tricky mid-race driver change where Parker Kligerman subbed in for Connor Zilisch, who was recovering from a broken collarbone. Kligerman finished off the race with a win – one that was ultimately credited to Zilisch but which was a testament to the all-around performance of JR Motorsports.