NASCAR
Five Open Cars Slated So Far for 66th Daytona 500, One Will Be Bumped
At the time of this writing, 41 cars are entered into next month’s NASCAR season opener–the Daytona 500. With a field capped at 40 cars, this means one of the five open entries will be bumped. Here’s a look at all five open cars that have their eyes set on The Great American Race.
Jimmie Johnson
Seven-time champion, team owner, and recent Hall of Fame inductee Jimmie Johnson returns for his second-straight Daytona 500 effort. A year ago, the living legend returned with an all new number and team to the high banks, and made the big show.
Now that Legacy Motor Club fields Toyotas, it will be interesting to see how quickly Johnson can adapt. The longtime Chevrolet driver will be attempting his maiden run in a Toyota Camry, the first of nine starts for him this season. The two-time Daytona 500 Champion will attempt 2024’s race with Carvana on board once again.
It will be admittedly weird to see such a Chevrolet constant be competing for another manufacturer. Legacy MC does have much higher aspirations for 2024 however, and they now have factory support to compliment these lofty goals.
David Ragan
Representing a third car from RFK Racing, David Ragan makes a NASCAR return in the Stage 60 Ford Mustang. The past Roush driver has one Daytona victory to his credit (July 2011) and was always celebrated as a superspeedway ace.
RFK has a history of bringing lightning-fast cars to Daytona, with Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski earning a 1-2 finish in August. Now with another bullet in their gun, RFK’s chances of taking home the Harley J. Earl Trophy only increase. The Stage 60 car will make select starts throughout 2024, but none have been confirmed past Daytona.
Photo Credit: RFKStage60 on Twitter
Kaz Grala
While Kaz Grala will compete for most of 2024 with Rick Ware Racing, the Daytona 500 was not on his schedule in the No. 15. Instead, the 25-year-old will attempt The Great American Race in a third Front Row Motorsports Ford. Piloting the No. 36 Mustang, Grala eyes a third Daytona 500 start with a third different team. In 2022, Grala raced his way into the big show with The Money Team, putting the underdog crew in the spotlight.
FRM is no stranger to superspeedway success, winning the 500 three years ago with Michael McDowell. The third No. 36 Ford is a stout entry too, across four 2023 superspeedway starts it saw two top-10s. Grala should have a fast Ford under him for another chance at Daytona stardom.
Anthony Alfredo
Full-time Xfinity Series competitor Anthony Alfredo will also mount a Daytona 500 attempt with Beard Motorsports. The past Cup Series driver will make his first appearance in the No. 62 Chevrolet, trying to make the field for a second Daytona 500 showing.
2024 will mark the Beard team’s eighth season in Cup Series competition, likely sticking to a superspeedway-only schedule. Alfredo will be back with this team for the spring Talladega race as well. The little team that could has five top-10s in 26 starts. Alfredo will try and add to this stat line.
B.J. McLeod
While no longer a full-time team, Live Fast Motorsports and B.J. McLeod are gunning for one of the 40 coveted Daytona 500 starting spots. The Florida native has seen some career highlights at his home track. Both of his top-10s came in back-to-back Daytona summer races (2021-2022).
The apparent underdog effort among the 2024 Daytona 500 entrants, the No. 78 will try and turn heads in qualifying or their Duel race.
Along with any other 11th-hour entries, these five drivers will compete against each other for the final four spots in the Daytona 500. Whichever two cars are fastest in pole qualifying (Wednesday, Feb. 14, FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) will lock in their berths.
The last two golden tickets will go to whoever finishes highest in the Duel races (Thursday, Feb. 15, FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90). With at least one car guaranteed to be going home, it will be fun to follow along with this annual Daytona Speedweeks drama.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter and YouTube
Photo Credit to Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
