Corey LaJoie Set to Make 2026 Daytona 500 Entry with Historic RFK Racing

NASCAR veteran Corey LaJoie will race the No:99 Ford in the 2026 Daytona 500 for RFK Racing team of Brad Keselowski.

Corey LaJoie Set to Make 2026 Daytona 500 Entry with Historic RFK Racing

Corey LaJoie (Via @CoreyLaJoie/X)

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The 2026 NASCAR Cup season opener will mark a special moment for RFK Racing and Corey LaJoie. The veteran racer turned broadcaster is set to be part of the return of the Rusch racing No:99 team. He will drive the No. 99 Ford Mustang Dark Horse GT with Trimble as his sponsor. It will mark the 10th career Daytona 500 start for the veteran.

The No:99 is part of RFK Racing history, as the team enjoyed some of its most dominant years with their star drivers sporting the number. RFK cars had the number from 1996 to 2014 and has been to Victory Lane 40 times. Carl Edwards won 23 of these races (2004-2014) while Jeff Burton won 17 races (1996 to 2004).

From the 2021 season Trackhouse Racing and Daniel Saurez has been using the No:99 driver and it finally became free for the RFK to use after the Mexican American was fired from the team. He moved to Spire Motorsports leaving the number and his replacement Conor Zilisch will be using the No:88 instead. This gave RFK the opportunity to make the much-awaited return.

Veteran racer Corey LaJoie was handed the opportunity to mark the return, and he sees this as a dream come true moment. Talking about it on the press-release from the team, he pointed that he would have the best opportunity he has ever had in winning the crown jewel race with RFK and he is grateful for it.

This is a dream come true to get an opportunity with RFK Racing at the Daytona 500. This is without a doubt, the best car and opportunity I’ve had at Daytona. I’m grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me.

Corey LaJoie said via a statement.

Brad Keselowski explains the advantage Ford will have with Corey LaJoie entry

Talking about the entry, RFK Racing owner driver Brad Keselowski pointed out that having a firth car on the track will give his team as well as the whole Ford garage a better shot at winning the Daytona 500. Drafting alliances plays a major role in success at the Superspeedways and the new entry puts the team in a strong position.

Corey LaJoie
Corey LaJoie (Via IMAGO)

From a competition standpoint, having a fourth car gives us and Ford Racing a better chance to win the Daytona 500. It’s not just about adding another entry. Superspeedway racing is about cooperation and having an additional car allows us to be more effective in forming drafting alliances, controlling lanes, and putting ourselves in position when it matters most.

Brad Keselowski said.

RFK Racing president Chip Bowers also shared his thoughts on entry as well. He pointed out that teamwork and preparation is paramount for success at Daytona, so having an experienced campaigner like LaJoie in their garage helps them to succeed.

Daytona is the one race where preparation and teamwork are amplified. Corey’s familiarity with our systems and people, combined with Trimble’s collaboration, allows us to be bold, aggressive and committed. This is a well-planned extension of our overall Daytona strategy.

Chip Bowers asserted.

The statements from the team seems rational and on point, as having an experienced racer such as LaJoie backing the full-time cars gives them a massive advantage. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver in the coming years.

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