For the second consecutive season, JR Motorsports will take on NASCAR’s biggest stage, announcing Friday evening that Justin Allgaier will once again pilot the No. 40 Chevrolet in the 2026 Daytona 500. The entry will carry sponsorship from Grammy-winning country music star Chris Stapleton and his Traveller Whiskey brand, continuing a unique partnership that blends motorsports with music culture.
The move marks only the organization’s second-ever NASCAR Cup Series start. Despite its deep legacy in the Xfinity Series, JR Motorsports has remained largely absent from the Cup level. Its return to Daytona signals the team’s growing willingness to explore marquee events while keeping its primary focus on Xfinity competition.
A Strong Return After a Breakout Daytona 500 Run
Allgaier’s performance in February’s Daytona 500 left an impression on fans and competitors alike. Entering as a non-chartered, open entry, he was forced to qualify through the Duels—a pressure-filled path where one mistake can end a team’s hopes before the main event even begins.
Not only did Allgaier race his way in, he went on to finish ninth in the Great American Race, surviving a chaotic final-lap crash to secure his second career top-10 in 83 Cup starts. For a part-time entry from an Xfinity-focused team, the result was considered one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season.
In a short video posted by JR Motorsports on social media Friday, Allgaier teased fans with a simple message: “You didn’t think this was a one and done, did you?” His return was greeted with widespread excitement, especially among JRM loyalists and fans of the Stapleton partnership.
Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey Continues Its NASCAR Presence
The collaboration with Chris Stapleton adds a distinct flavor to the effort. Traveller Whiskey, created by Stapleton and backed by Buffalo Trace Distillery, made a splash during its motorsports debut in 2025. The brand’s involvement positioned the No. 40 car as one of the most visually striking and culturally unique entries in the field.
With Stapleton’s popularity across music, sports, and mainstream media, the sponsorship brings crossover attention that extends beyond the typical NASCAR audience.
Allgaier Coming Off a Strong Xfinity Season
Beyond his Daytona heroics, Allgaier enters 2026 with momentum from another impressive year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He scored three victories and finished third in the championship standings, trailing only newly crowned champion Jesse Love and JRM teammate Connor Zilisch. It was part of a staggering overall season for JR Motorsports, which racked up 17 wins as an organization.
Allgaier’s experience, superspeedway skill, and long-standing relationship with the team make him a natural fit for JR Motorsports’ latest Daytona 500 push. While he has never been a full-time Cup driver, his veteran presence and ability to survive the unpredictability of Daytona give the team confidence entering another open qualifying attempt.
A Small Step Toward a Bigger Future?
While JR Motorsports has consistently stated that a full-time Cup Series program isn’t imminent, its willingness to compete in NASCAR’s most prestigious event for multiple years in a row suggests long-term possibilities. Each Daytona 500 attempt allows the team to gather experience, build relationships with sponsors, and test the waters of Cup-level competition without the heavy financial commitment of a charter.
For fans, the No. 40 Chevrolet has quickly become a feel-good storyline—a team known for developing young talent taking on the sport’s biggest stage with a veteran driver and a culturally relevant sponsor.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Speedweeks
The journey for JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier begins again with the Duels, where they must once more earn their way into the field against other open entries. But if last year proved anything, it’s that the combination of Allgaier’s savvy, JRM’s preparation, and Daytona’s unpredictability can produce memorable results.
As Speedweeks approaches, the return of the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet adds another layer of excitement—and perhaps another opportunity for JR Motorsports to rewrite expectations on NASCAR’s grandest stage.
