Lifting the Harley J. Earl Trophy is something Dale Earnhardt Jr. has experienced as a race car driver. the memories of the 2014 Daytona 500 race will forever be special for Dale Jr., but he’s now embarking on a new journey. After the 2017 appearance, the former HMS driver is returning to the Great American Race for the first time in 2025, and this time around he’s not the one behind the wheel. Jr. had long manifested the sight of watching his JR Motorsports race car someday compete in the Cup Series. And that dream is finally materializing with JRM’s debut in the biggest race of the NASCAR season.

The veteran driver was battling his emotions knowing the challenges and potential setbacks of competing in the Cup Series. Financial instability and uncertainty surrounding the charters somewhat pushed him away from fielding a full-time ride. Thanks to the support of country singer Chris Stapleton’s support, Jr. was able to take the leap and field an open entry led by 2024 Xfinity Series champion, Justin Allgaier.

Now, that the No. 40 Chevy had made its way to the garage area at Daytona, the veteran team owner was lost for words in expressing his feelings.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflects true debuting owner emotions

In an interview with NASCARONFOX, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his unfiltered emotions when asked about his excitement for the Daytona 500 race: “It’s awesome. You know, it’s a dream of mine to be in the Cup garage as an owner, so it’s pretty special to finally have that opportunity, especially since it’s the biggest race of the year. There’s been a lot of preparation with the car, but it’s time to get to work in the business with practice and everything. We’ll go out there and see what the car can do. So, yeah, I’m glad we got some practice.” 

This is sort of a comeback for Dale Jr. himself who was forced into retirement due to his concussion issues. Although he ran a successful operation at the Xfinity level, his heart truly lay with the premier series. There couldn’t have been a better event other than the Daytona 500. JRM can finally spread their wings, transitioning from a tier 2 NASCAR team to now competing against the big boys. However, the job is only starting now as the team will look to make the most of the practice runs and fine-tune their mean machine.

“Certainly, with a brand new car, you’ve got bugs and things to work out and you try to streamline everything, get it doing what it’s supposed to do. But hopefully, by the night, we’ll have the speed we need.” Dale Jr. isn’t taking any chances and he’s right there with his team to supervise and prepare for the qualifying effort. The good thing is that Allgaier knows his way around the high banks of Daytona having made two starts in the crown jewel event in 2014 and 2015.

Well, the credit also goes to country singer Chris Stapleton who joined forces with the veteran driver and his team. Dale Jr. always stated that he would be open to the idea of Cup Racing if he had the backing of an investor or a business partner. And star aligned when Jr. had a meeting with Stapleton. “I don’t know that we ever had a plan that we were going to enter the 2025 Daytona 500. Chris and his team came to us with an idea, and this is the way stuff kind of comes together sometimes.” He said this in an interview with FOX Sports.

It’s fair to say that pressure on Justin Allgaier to deliver the goods on the racetrack. After all, he is representing a passionate fan base who had been yearning to see a JRM car compete in the Cup Series.

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Justin Allgaier is feeling the heat ahead of JRM’s Daytona 500 debut

Roughly 40-41 cars are expected to make the field for Sunday’s mega event at Daytona International Speedway. With 36 charters teams already securing their spots, the rest of the open entries will have to fight for the remaining slots. Justin Allgaier and JRM’s No. 40 Chevy will have to do it the hard way through the qualifying and the Duels. Although Allgaier has experience racing in the Daytona 500, he is feeling the nerves. 

“Listen I have seen a lot of social media. I’m pretty confident that I need to not show my face if we don’t make the field. I will do my best job that I possibly can…  Anything can happen, we’ve seen it all time and time again. You can have the fastest race car here and it winds up in a box and parts or you can sneak your way in on the last lap. We’re going to do everything we can to make it in the 500.” Allgaier said in an interview after the practice session.

What do you think about JRM’s Cup Series debut at Daytona 500? Will they make the field for the main race, or they will have a bitter start to their Cup Series program?