Jimmie Johnson has a guaranteed spot next month in the 2026 Daytona 500. Legacy Motor Club applied for and has been granted an open exemption provisional, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported Wednesday.

Johnson will officially be in the field Sunday, Feb. 15. The field will be 41 cars deep, and Johnson won’t get purse money. His starting position will likely be determined on where he finishes in the duels.

With Johnson guaranteed a spot, that means seven cars will be vying for four open spots in the Daytona 500. Among those attempting to qualify are Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports), Corey Heim (23XI Racing), Casey Mears (Garage 66), B.J. McLeod (Live Fast Motorsports), and J.J. Yeley (NY Racing Team). Beard Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing are expected to field extra entrants.

The open exemption provisional was introduced ahead of last year’s Daytona 500. It created a guaranteed “promoter’s choice” provisional spot in the field for accomplished, world-class drivers, including those with compelling credentials from other forms of motorsports, per NASCAR.com. Trackhouse Racing used it to allow IndyCar Series legend Helio Castroneves to compete in the Daytona 500 after he crashed in his duel.

This past March, NASCAR revised the rules to mandate a 41-car field when the open exemption provisional is granted. “The Open Exemption Provisional will be applied only if more than 40 vehicles are qualifying for the Event. In that case, it will be applied regardless of the vehicle’s Qualifying position, and the starting field will be 41,” the rule states.

Jimmie Johnson is chasing win No. 84

Johnson, 50, has kept up a limited schedule since retiring from full-time competition after the 2020 season. Since 2023, the seven-time Cup champion has competed in 14 races for his team, Legacy Motor Club. Johnson struggled to race inside the top 30 in 2023 and 2024 before finishing third in last year’s Daytona 500. 

As far as his 2026 schedule beyond Daytona, Johnson announced in November he will race at Coronado Naval Base in NASCAR’s inaugural event in San Diego. Whether in San Diego or somewhere else, Johnson doesn’t just want to run some laps; he wants to win. He’s got 83 Cup wins to his name, and he would like to make it 84, driving the No. 84 car for Legacy.

“That was a very nice day [Daytona]. I hope to have more shots [at that]. We don’t really speak of the podiums in our industry but to finish third and essentially be on the podium was an incredible opportunity,” Johnson said. “Man, the 84th win, I wanna believe that opportunity is there one way shape or another. To be in the 84 car chasing that 84th win, I really would like to tick that box.”

• Multi-year agreement launches newly titled DuraMAX Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
• Tickets available now at www.NASCARatCOTA.com. for Feb. 27-March 1 NASCAR doubleheader weekend.

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DuraMAX, a national brand line of high-quality maintenance products, has been named the primary entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

The multi-year agreement between RelaDyne, owner and distributor of DuraMAX products, and race promoter Speedway Motorsports will brand the event as the DuraMAX Grand Prix. This season will mark the sixth running of NASCAR’s annual visit to COTA and will serve as the third race on the Cup Series calendar. The 95-lap, 228-mile DuraMAX Grand Prix will be contested on COTA’s internationally acclaimed permanent road course in Austin, Texas and follows the season-opening Daytona 500 (Feb. 15) and a visit to EchoPark Speedway (Feb. 22).

Click HERE to download various formats of the DuraMAX Grand Prix race logo.

The DuraMAX Grand Prix will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on FOX, reaching a global audience across 195 countries and territories in more than 29 languages through NASCAR’s international partners. Radio coverage will be provided nationally by PRN and SiriusXM Radio.

“RelaDyne is proud to partner with Speedway Motorsports as the entitlement sponsor of NASCAR at COTA,” said Eric Royse, Chief Executive Officer of RelaDyne. “This is a special opportunity to showcase our DuraMAX brand – now the fastest-growing engine oil brand in the installed segment – on a premier stage in front of customers, partners, and fans. With RelaDyne headquartered in Texas, this event also gives us a meaningful way to connect our brand, our customers, our people, and our partners in a market that’s central to our growth.”

“Our entitlement of the DuraMAX Grand Prix allows us to highlight what our brand stands for: performance, reliability, and excellence,” said Mike Cooper, Chief Commercial Officer of RelaDyne. “From daily drivers to race-day machines, our products are built to perform under pressure and are proudly poured by trusted installers across the United States. The DuraMAX Grand Prix is a natural fit for our continued growth in motorsports, and we’re excited to support the event with on-track activations and experiences alongside our partners and customers.”

DuraMAX offers a full line of vehicle maintenance products, including full synthetic, high-mileage, and synthetic blend motor oils, antifreeze, filters, wiper blades, and more. The brand continues to grow nationwide, serving the full installed market – from independent installers to large automotive service groups.

Since 2017, DuraMAX has utilized motorsports as a platform for brand growth through partnerships in NASCAR, INDYCAR and Sprint Car racing. DuraMAX entered NASCAR in 2022 with a NCS race entitlement at Dover Motor Speedway and on the Spire Motorsports car of Corey LaJoie for that same event. DuraMAX returned to NASCAR for last year’s running of the Daytona 500 as the Rick Ware Racing car sponsor for LaJoie.

“DuraMAX is a tremendous addition to our Speedway Motorsports family,” NASCAR at COTA General Manager Mark Faber said. “Their commitment to performance and dependability aligns perfectly with the intensity of road-course racing and we’re excited to welcome them as the entitlement sponsor for one of the marquee events on the NASCAR calendar. The DuraMAX Grand Prix will deliver a high-energy race weekend for fans, teams and DuraMAX employees alike – everything turned up to the MAX.”

The NASCAR doubleheader weekend opens Friday, Feb. 27, and also includes the Focused Health 250 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 2 p.m. Both series will compete on the 17-turn, 2.4-mile National Course, which debuted last year after the first four seasons being contested on the 20-turn, 3.41-mile Full Course.

Individual race tickets and weekend packages, along with camping options, are available by visiting NASCARatCOTA.com. The race weekend provides family affordability, including tickets for children ages 12 and under at $10 for the NCS race and free for the Focused Health 250 (with a ticketed adult required for either race).

About DuraMAX
DuraMAX, Powered by RelaDyne, offers high-quality personal vehicle maintenance solutions, including full synthetic, high mileage, and synthetic blend motor oils, as well as antifreeze, filters, wiper blades, and more. DuraMAX provides a 10-year, up to 500,000-mile engine protection warranty and has been recognized as the best-selling oil brand in the industry by fast lube operators since 2018. For more information, visit DuraMAX.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

About RelaDyne
RelaDyne is the nation’s largest seller of lubricants and a market leader in fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and industrial reliability services, serving industrial, commercial and automotive businesses across North America. Founded in 2010 through the merger of four industry leaders, RelaDyne has grown to more than 190 locations through a strategic track record of acquiring top-performing companies. Our mission is simple: deliver lubrication excellence that drives reliability, efficiency, and profitability for our customers. By understanding the unique needs of every partner, our dedicated Associates act as an extension of their operations, providing unmatched products, services, and expertise. Learn more at RelaDyne.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

About Speedway Motorsports
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, X and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

SOURCE Speedway Motorsports

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is returning to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition for the first time in nearly 18 years.

Johnson will race the June 19 NCTS race at Naval Base Coronado San Diego. He will race for TRICON Garage in a No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro with sponsorship from Carvana. 

“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,” Johnson said. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

A native of El Cajon, California, about 20 minutes away from Naval Base Coronado, Johnson is also set to race in the NASCAR Cup Series race that weekend. He will race the No. 84 Carvana Toyota for his team, Legacy Motor Club. 

Johnson made two Cup Series starts in 2025 – the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 – but hasn’t made an NCTS start since 2008. 

In August 2008, Johnson raced in the NCTS at Bristol Motor Speedway for Randy Moss Motorsports. He started ninth and took the lead on lap 42. He led for 29 laps before his day came to an end with a crash after completing 101 laps.

Johnson ultimately finished 34th and never made another NCTS start after that. 

Johnson has 794 NASCAR starts but only one win on a road course or a street course. He won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway in June 2010 after Marcos Ambrose dominated the race but lost when he couldn’t maintain pace as the leader while trying to save fuel under caution.

Johnson also raced all of the road course events during the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series season. A year later, he raced the full INDYCAR season before returning to NASCAR competition. 

Johnson and the rest of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take to the 16-turn, 3.4-mile San Diego street circuit June 19 on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

A NASCAR insider revealed which cars will compete for the remaining open spots for this year’s Daytona 500. Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported that seven cars will battle for four open spots in the first Cup Series race of the 2026 season.

The seven cars/drivers are Justin Allgaier from JR Motorsports, Corey Heim from 23XI Racing, Casey Mears from Garage 66, BJ McLeod from Live Fast Motorsports, JJ Yeley from NY Racing, a car from Beard Motorsports, and a car from Richard Childress Racing. This comes after Pockrass reported that Jimmie Johnson was awarded a spot in the Daytona 500 after applying for the “open exemption provisional.”

Of the drivers that were mentioned, Allgaier would be the one to watch. JR Motorsports announced in November that Allgaier will enter the Daytona 500 and drive the No. 40 car. The team made its Cup Series debut in last year’s Daytona 500, and Allgaier finished ninth.

More on the 2026 Daytona 500

“I’m honored to be able to have the chance to drive this Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet again for Dale, Kelley, and all of JR Motorsports,” Allgaier said at the time. “Last year was such an incredible opportunity and experience, and I am really thankful that Chris Stapleton and Traveller wanted to come back and be a part of this again. We had the speed last year, and I know that we will again to make it into the Daytona 500. It’s going to be an unbelievable time.”

“Getting the opportunity to enter a second Daytona 500 is something that is extremely special to everyone at JR Motorsports,” JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller said. “Last year was an amazing moment, and I’m very proud to be able to see this group come back together with the support of Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey to go after it again in February.”

The 2026 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Getting a Daytona 500 win would get the driver and the team a lot of recognition since it’s NASCAR’s biggest race of the year. But a victory also helps the driver and team get a leg up on the standings, and they clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Over the course of three years and 71 races together, Corey Heim and Scott Zipadelli amassed 21 wins and 45 top-5s with three final four appearances and the 2025 Truck Series championship.

It’s objectively a hard act to follow but Kaden Honeycutt isn’t allowing the pressure to exceed the privilege and intends to just put in the work in pursuit of the same results.

“From my end, I think it’s very important to wipe that slate clean and treat it like it didn’t happen,” Honeycutt told Motorsport.com on Wednesday. “I just want to try to be who I am, and definitely want to back up the success they’ve had the past three years, but also recognize that I’m my own person and need to figure out how to get there first.

“So there’s definitely some pressure, but I don’t feel much of it right now, because I’m just going to go out there and do the best I possibly can.”

And so far, Honeycutt’s best has methodically landed him in a position to get noticed by Toyota Racing Development and Tricon Garage’s No. 11.

“I feel like, being in that equipment, I’m going to be able to show what I can do,” Honeycatt added. “It’s going to be really fun. I want to enjoy every second of it and just try to go out there and win races, and give ourselves a title shot, whatever the format comes out to be.”

Honeycutt got to this point by being willing to do whatever it took to earn opportunities. He worked in the shop at OnPoint Motorsports and Niece Motorsports alongside the races he put the funding together for.

He won at the CARS Tour and ASA levels. He won the prestigious Snowball Derby in 2024. He made the playoffs last year for Niece and then advanced to the final four when signing with Tricon necessitated a move to Halmar Friesen Racing.

His story is very old school, conceptually.

“When I first moved to North Carolina, it was strictly as a working job,” Honeycutt said. “I was able to put together seven to eight races a year on the pavement Late Model side but was a full-time employee at whatever Truck Series shop I worked for.

“I worked really hard, and they knew I was a racer and wanted to drive, and eventually, when you work hard enough, opportunities will come and you need to be prepared to capitalize on it.”

So now, after working with successful crew chiefs like JC Umscheid and Phil Gould, Honeycutt’s journey has taken him to Zipadelli, the two-time champion and winner of 39 national touring series races atop the pit box.

“He doesn’t talk a lot but when he does, you listen to him, and take in what he’s saying because it’s really important and something you need to learn from,” Honeycutt said of Zipadelli. “He’s an extremely smart guy. He and David do a great job together and know what they need from their job.

“But from my experience, Scott is one of the quieter type guys and does his talking on the race track, and will talk afterwards once you’ve seen the hard work. I think that’s been awesome to see first hand.”

Honeycutt just met Zipadelli last year, once he signed with the team, but largely kept it casual as both of their teams chased the championship. But being able to make a playoff run last year with Toyota and HFR is what has Honeycutt most excited for this year.

He’s seen the tools and now he knows how to use them.

“Having that head start last year was huge for sure,” Honeycutt said. “Getting acclimated with the sim, how Toyota approaches races, working out of the performance center and being involved in, early, with everything we’re going to be doing this year helped a lot.

“I know my way around.

“I’ve been at the shop a lot since the off-season has started and the guys going back to work. Scott and I have a good relationship going. It’s basically their same team from last year, besides one, and that’s really important. So now we just have to go out and win races, try to repeat what they did the last years. We’re going to try and work towards that and I’m really optimistic about our chances.”

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– The Motorsport.com Team