Nine Drivers Battle for Final Daytona 500 Starting Positions
Nine drivers will compete for the remaining spots in the 67th annual Daytona 500, with 45 teams on the preliminary entry list.
NASCAR cars racing at Daytona
The 36 chartered teams have guaranteed positions, while four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves (Trackhouse Racing) is assured a spot through either qualifying or the Open Exemption Provisional.
Open drivers competing for remaining spots:
- Corey LaJoie (No. 01 Ford, Rick Ware Racing)
- Justin Allgaier (No. 40 Chevrolet, JR Motorsports)
- JJ Yeley (No. 44 Chevrolet, NY Racing Team)
- Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 Toyota, Tricon Garage)
- Anthony Alfredo (No. 62 Chevrolet, Beard Motorsports)
- Chandler Smith (No. 66 Ford, Garage 66)
- B.J. McLeod (No. 78 Chevrolet, Live Fast Motorsports)
- Jimmie Johnson (No. 84 Toyota, Legacy Motor Club)
Notable storylines include JR Motorsports attempting their first Cup Series race and Tricon Garage partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing for Truex's entry. Truex will reunite with Cole Pearn, his 2017 championship-winning crew chief.
William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports returns as the defending Daytona 500 champion.