{"id":49630,"date":"2025-02-13T22:57:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T04:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=49630"},"modified":"2025-02-14T16:06:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T22:06:10","slug":"emotions-fly-high-for-teams-earning-their-spot-in-the-great-american-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/13\/emotions-fly-high-for-teams-earning-their-spot-in-the-great-american-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotions fly-high for teams earning their spot in the Great American Race"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 High drama and big celebration marked the NASCAR Cup Series Duel at DAYTONA on Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway \u2013 and that wasn\u2019t even in the track\u2019s famous Victory Lane.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Justin Allgaier, driver of the #40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 SUNNYD Chevrolet and JJ Yeley, driver of the #44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet race during the NASCAR Cup Series Duel 1at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

A bold move forward in the final laps of the first 60-lap qualifying race provided an emotional berth into the DAYTONA 500 for reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier and a first-time appearance for his JR Motorsports\u2019 team owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Allgaier will start 19th in the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.<\/p>\n

Corey Lajoie earned the other \u201copen\u201d position up for grabs in Thursday\u2019s second Duel 150-miler, finishing sixth in the No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford \u2013 ahead of Anthony Alfredo and BJ McLeod who were also vying for the final \u201copen\u201d position on the DAYTONA 500 grid. He\u2019ll start 12th.<\/p>\n

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves joined Allgaier advancing out of the opening Duel \u2013 officially scored as 22nd among the 24 cars after his No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet was collected in a multi-accident on Lap 13. He will start last on Sunday\u2019s 41-car starting grid by virtue of using a new provisional starting position offered by NASCAR to \u201cworld class drivers\u201d wanting to compete in the big event.<\/p>\n

TRICON Garage\u2019s Martin Truex Jr. and Legacy Motor Club owner-driver Jimmie Johnson \u2013 a two-time DAYTONA 500 winner – earned the other two \u201copen positions\u201d in pole qualifying on Wednesday \u2013 filling out the field. They will start 39th and 40th on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Justin Allgaier, driver of the #40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet is hugged by NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. for qualifying fot the Daytona 500 after the NASCAR Cup Series Duel 1at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Three-wide coming to the white flag Thursday night,  Allgaier, 39, ultimately benefitted from a huge push from Michael McDowell and Josh Berry, able to pull away from J.J. Yeley, the one driver he had to beat for the final transfer position. As dramatic as the winning move was on-track, it was the emotional significance for the team that punctuated the achievement and really made the night feel so special for the decorated JR Motorsports team\u2019s NASCAR Cup Series race debut.<\/p>\n

Earnhardt \u2013 a two-time DAYTONA 500 winner – and his sister Kelley lost their father, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt in a fatal last lap crash of the 2001 DAYTONA 500. But instead of holding onto any negative thoughts about NASCAR\u2019s most famous speedway, the siblings insisted Thursday night that they honestly harbor no ill will toward the track itself despite the tragedy they endured here.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, Earnhardt said he has made peace with the venue and judging by the smiles, hugs and back slaps he so generously passed around following Thursday\u2019s race, this was one of the more significant triumphs of his NASCAR Hall of Fame career.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Justin Allgaier, driver of the #40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet celebrates after making the Daytona 500 during the NASCAR Cup Series Duel 1at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cDaddy loved Daytona and he loved to win here, he loved to win any race,” Earnhardt said, adding, \u201cAnd gosh, I loved coming here as a kid, just a lot of great memories.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, when he passed away I had to make a decision. I had a career in front of me. I was coming back [to the track] multiple times and had to figure out a way to be okay with it. I knew it wasn\u2019t the track that took him. I knew wherever he was, he still felt the same about Daytona.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so, I\u2019ve embraced it and him losing his life in this property brought this property closer to me. Now that doesn\u2019t work the same for other people with tragedy, but for me, knowing I had to keep coming here I made some peace with it, and embraced the track and love it. Add on top of that I love the history of the sport and add on top of the fact this is like the cornerstone and foundation of the sport between Darlington (S.C. Raceway), here and a few other tracks, this is really what helped us launch ourselves off the beach and dirt tracks and bullrings and make us a genuine sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the historic moments that have happened here, and getting to win here myself, I think we should celebrate this track and this race. Where else do you go and barely make the field and cry tears of joy? No where. This is incredible and that\u2019s what helps you measure the importance of the race and how big it is to me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love coming here.”<\/p>\n

This will be the first DAYTONA 500 start for the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Allgaier in 10 years \u2013 his best finish in the Great American Race is 27th (2014) in two previous DAYTONA 500 starts.<\/p>\n

\"\"

NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates Justin Allgaier, driver of the #40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet qualifying for the Daytona 500 after the NASCAR Cup Series Duel 1at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cDale told me before the race \u2013 if it\u2019s meant to be, it will happen, and it did,” said Allgaier, who is driving No. 40 JRM Chevrolet.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust really proud. This might seem like not that big of a deal to a lot of people, but when I think about our small team at JR Motorsports \u2013- as big as it is, it really is a small family team. To see this happen tonight, it takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lajoie shared similar feelings of relief and optimism. Finding himself without a fulltime ride this season, he was ready to put up his own money to help fund his ride, only to land sponsors at the \u201c11th hour\u201d who wanted to partner with the Rick Ware team and Lajoie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m pumped up, man,” Lajoie said. \u201cI wasn’t that stressed going in, but I am super relieved right now.”<\/p>\n

Castroneves was understandably frustrated with the result of his first opportunity to turn some race laps in a stock car, but remained upbeat about his chances come Sunday in his official NASCAR debut with Trackhouse Racing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing because the No. 91 Wendy\u2019s Chevy was really good,” the 49-year old Brazilian said. \u201cThe boys on the PROJECT91 team did an amazing job. They have a little bit of work to do, unfortunately. It wasn\u2019t the night that we wanted, but we\u2019ll take the provisional. So many people have been talking about it, but we will take it and we will learn more for the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

His participation along with LaJoie and Allgaier leading the anticipated JR Motorsports team debut partnered with a pair of former NASCAR Cup Series champions in Johnson and Truex – absolutely adds a dramatic chapter of competition to the sport\u2019s most anticipated race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m going to tell you, man, this sport is amazing, everything about it,” Earnhardt said. \u201cI’ve seen it from so many different lenses. And I love the challenges. I wouldn’t want it any other way. This was hard emotionally, but I can’t believe that we get to race on Sunday. I just can’t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two more practice sessions \u2013 one each Friday and Saturday – complete the week before cars line up for Sunday\u2019s 67th running of the DAYTONA 500 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). William Byron is the defending race winner.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Justin Allgaier, Dale Jr & Kelly Earnhardt – Open Car Daytona 500 –<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Corey LaJoie – Open Car Daytona 500 –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LaJoieNCS021325.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 High drama and big celebration marked the NASCAR Cup Series Duel at DAYTONA on Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway \u2013 and that wasn\u2019t even in the track\u2019s famous Victory Lane. A bold move forward in the final laps of the first 60-lap qualifying race […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":49617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[42,287,16],"class_list":["post-49630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-daytona-500","tag-daytona-international-speedway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2199484316-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-cUu","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49630"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49635,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49630\/revisions\/49635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}