Dale Earnhardt Jr. is stepping into uncharted territory as JR Motorsports prepares to compete in the Daytona 500 for the first time. During a conversation on the Dale Jr. Download podcast with his sister, Kelly Earnhardt Miller, he shared his apprehension about this bold move into NASCAR’s premier event.
“I won’t lie—I’m a little nervous,” Earnhardt admitted. “We’re starting from the very bottom with zero expectations. That’s uncharted ground for us. But maybe that’s the beauty of it—there’s nowhere to go but up. Personally, I hope this venture opens more doors for us to compete at the Cup level in the future.”
Earnhardt didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges ahead. “If it turns out to be a tough road, that will only fuel our determination. We’re the type to regroup and try again until we figure it out. Quitting isn’t in our DNA,” he emphasized.
Behind the wheel for JR Motorsports is Justin Allgaier, who will pilot the No. 40 car at the 2025 Daytona 500. A veteran driver for the team since 2016, Allgaier recently clinched the Xfinity Series championship and is ready to take on this new challenge. However, his track record at the Daytona 500 has been less than stellar, with finishes of 27th in 2014 and 37th in 2015.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Allgaier said to NASCAR.com. “Debuting at the Daytona 500 with JR Motorsports is a dream. We know qualifying will be tough, and the competition is fierce, but I trust the team. If anyone can make this work, it’s Dale, Kelly, LW [Miller], and the entire crew.”
Earnhardt also reflected on the timing of this debut. “We’ve been waiting for the right moment, and everything aligned perfectly,” he said in a press release. “With Justin’s Xfinity championship win and Chris Stapleton’s involvement, it feels like the stars are guiding us to this opportunity.”
Since its founding in 2005, JR Motorsports has built an impressive legacy, boasting 88 Xfinity Series wins and four championships. Despite this success, the leap to the Daytona 500 marks a significant challenge, leaving Earnhardt anxious yet hopeful about what lies ahead.
Will this debut become a stepping stone to greater achievements or a lesson learned in perseverance? Only time will tell.
