Dale Earnhardt Jr. Daytona 500 ambitions continue as JR Motorsports (JRM) prepares to field Justin Allgaier for another attempt at NASCAR’s crown jewel in 2026, following a successful Xfinity Series season and deep Cup Series involvement. The return highlights the commitment of Earnhardt, JRM, and their partners to the elite Daytona event, while shifting team dynamics and recent controversies stir emotions behind the scenes.
Justin Allgaier to Lead JRM’s 2026 Daytona 500 Bid
JR Motorsports, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. guiding the operation, has chosen Justin Allgaier to represent the team once again in the Daytona 500. Allgaier, the reigning 2024 Xfinity Series champion, will make a second consecutive appearance for JRM at Daytona, affirming the team’s increasing focus on the Cup Series.
This year, Allgaier will continue his partnership with country star Chris Stapleton’s Traveller whiskey, serving as primary sponsor for the campaign. He is set to pilot the No. 40 Cup Series Chevrolet, a number he debuted in for JRM’s first Cup attempt in 2025.
Reflecting on last year’s performance, Allgaier missed a direct qualifying spot but managed to secure his starting place by finishing in the top ten during the 60-lap Duel race, ultimately starting nineteenth in the Great American Race. He went on to finish among the top five, avoiding a late-race accident and reinforcing his and the team’s credentials on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages.
To make the return official, a video was shared via JR Motorsports’ social platform, playfully alluding to their renewed Daytona ambition:
“How about another round in Daytona?”
– JR Motorsports promotional team
Changes and Success in the Wake of 2025 Debut
The 2025 run marked JRM’s first venture at the Cup Series level, a milestone so meaningful for Dale Earnhardt Jr. that he preserved the eight spark plugs from their 500-mile debut. It stands as a testament to the organization’s rapidly growing Cup credentials.
Beyond Daytona, Justin Allgaier completed a standout season in Xfinity, advancing to the championship’s final four for a third year in a row. Racing alongside JRM teammates Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil, Allgaier piloted the No. 7 to a third-place finish in the season-long standings, continuing his string of consistent, top-tier performances.
However, changes within JRM’s crew structure are underway. With Jim Pohlman—formerly Allgaier’s crew chief—moving to join Kyle Busch’s Cup Series team, JRM has reassigned Andrew Overstreet, previously associated with the No. 1 entry, to take over crew chief duties for Allgaier. The shuffle typifies the evolving landscape within top NASCAR operations as ambitions and talent move across teams and series.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Clashes with Ken Schrader over Number Significance
Off the track, Dale Earnhardt Jr. found himself caught in a heated debate regarding the importance of race car numbers, a discussion sparked by Ken Schrader’s dismissal of their legacy and impact. The conversation, initiated on an episode of the “Dale Jr. Download,” revealed Earnhardt’s intense personal connection to specific car numbers—a tradition central to NASCAR culture.
“He’s (Ken Schrader) family, but I don’t agree with that,” he said, “you know, don’t like that he swayed Kenny. Kenny ought to have a personal connection to the #36, I got connections to 8, 88, 03, 31, and I’m gonna f***g keep them. I feel like the number does matter because it’s an identifier.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Driver/Owner
“It’s an identifier and it needs to be in the middle of the f*****g door, or whatever you wanna put it,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued. “This f*****g frustrates me because the number is important. What are we doing?,” he added.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Driver/Owner
This tension reflects Earnhardt’s ongoing commitment to his NASCAR identity, a passion that extends to legal battles. Earlier in the year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. engaged in a trademark dispute with NFL quarterback Lamar Jackson over the stylized No. 8. Jackson argued that Earnhardt’s use of the number conflicted with his jersey branding, prompting Earnhardt to update his design and secure the rights to a modified version officially departing from the one he had used since 2019.
The Road Ahead for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Allgaier, and JRM
The selection of Justin Allgaier to lead JRM’s effort at the Daytona 500 underlines Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s vision for pushing his organization deeper into the Cup Series. With changes in crew leadership, continued backing from partners like Chris Stapleton, and lessons learned from recent high-profile races and disputes, the stage is set for an emotionally charged and closely watched 2026 campaign.
Longtime NASCAR fans will be paying close attention, not just to Allgaier’s success on the track, but also to Earnhardt’s efforts to preserve his legacy and shape the broader direction of the sport—both inside and outside the car. As Daytona approaches, the spotlight turns to JRM, its drivers, and the passionate figures at its helm.
How about another round in Daytona? 🥃 pic.twitter.com/jQFh6aXHjR
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) November 14, 2025
