Jimmie Johnson Headlines 2026 Daytona 500 Open Entries

As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, preparations for the Daytona 500 are intensifying, with a mix of veteran drivers and rising talents vying for spots in the 40-car field at Daytona International Speedway on February 15. Uncertainty surrounds the number of open entries, as NASCAR finalizes charter agreements that could limit non-chartered teams to as few as four positions, heightening competition for qualification through single-car sessions or the Bluegreen Vacations Duels.

Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson headlines the confirmed open entrants, returning to the No. 84 Carvana Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, where he serves as co-owner. At age 50, Johnson has made Daytona a staple since retiring from full-time racing after 2020, starting the event each of the past four seasons. His third-place finish in the 2025 Daytona 500 marked his best Cup result since that retirement year, achieved by advancing from 15th on a late restart. Johnson must again qualify on speed or in the Duels as a non-chartered entry. The team unveiled a new paint scheme featuring interlocking halos in gradient tones, yellow streaks evoking motion, and neon accents tied to Johnson's legacy....