Justin Allgaier, who has raced in only seven NASCAR Cup Series events since 2016, is stepping into Cup in the 500. It's a big deal for him, but even more so for his team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. stretched out his hand to Justin Allgaier on pit road after Allgaier finished ninth in Sunday’s Daytona 500 in the first race for Earnhardt as a Cup car owner.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. blinked back tears as the moment socked him at Daytona International Speedway — a track bursting with triumph and tragedy for his family — that he was, with a country star and a NASCAR champ in tow,

The 2025 NASCAR season has kicked off at the Daytona International Speedway. There were 45 cars aiming for the prestigious spot in the race, which is often referred to as the Great American Race. Among these was the No. 40 Chevrolet, driven by Justin Allgaier, and representing Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports.

With a full moon overhead and the sun yet to crest the horizon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stood near his team’s hauler Wednesday morning and watched as JR Motorsports’ first Cup car was unloaded in the Daytona International Speedway garage.

The final few laps and even the very end of the 2025 Daytona 500 were marred by massive crashes that wiped out several race leaders in the late stages. While most fans have laid the blame at the drivers,

With a famous last name and a resume worthy of it, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pondered if owning a NASCAR Cup Series team was truly his destiny. JR Motorsports, the Xfinity Series team he and Kelley Earnhardt Miller have helmed since 2005,

We’re talking about both NASCAR Xfinity Series championships and some incredible seasons at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in the old Budweiser No. 8 car — including an emotional Daytona 500 triumph in 2004. Hoover was there when Earnhardt Jr.