Jimmie Johnson Secures Guaranteed Spot for 2026 Daytona 500

NASCAR has finally done justice for Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, giving him a guaranteed seat for the 2026 Daytona 500.

Jimmie Johnson Secures Guaranteed Spot for 2026 Daytona 500

Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

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One of the biggest controversies in the 2025 Daytona 500 was the Open Exemption Provisional. It was an initiative from NASCAR with the major goal of giving big names from different racing series the opportunity to race in the crown jewel event. IndyCar legend Helio Castroneves who made his debut with Trackhouse Racing was first to use OEP.

But the fans weren’t happy with the provisional, as in 2025 Jimmie Johnson, a seven times NASCAR Cup Series champion, had to qualify for the main event, while an IndyCar driver got the free pass. They were also concerned for other open entries, as it reduced the total number of slots available for the main event.

This forced the sanctioning body to change their rules, allowing one 41 entries to the race week, giving the open entries a fair fight. They now have also done justice to Johson, as it was announced that Legacy Motor Club is set to use the OEP to guarantee a slot in the main event for his No:84 Toyota Camry. The only negative is he won’t get a piece of the prize pool.

Jimmie Johnson has guaranteed spot in Daytona 500. Legacy applied for and has been granted the “open exemption provisional” … so Johnson is guaranteed spot and field will be 41 cars. Johnson won’t get purse $. Where he starts, I’d expect depends on finish in duels.

Bob Pockarss reported on X.

This gives the veteran an advantage in his long fight for 84th career win. He retired from the sport in 2020 with 83 wins to his name and when he came back after two-year IndyCar experiment as an owner-driver the primary goal was add one more win to the overall tally. He is still confident that LMC crew will give him a car capable achieving the victory.

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. 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.

Jimmie Johnson said via On3.com.

Seven drivers are set to fight for four spots left in the 2026 Daytona 500 to fight Jimmie Johnson

While Jimmie Johnson will be one of the 37 drivers that has guaranteed spots in the race, seven different drivers will be fighting for the remaining four spots in the race. Two of these drivers are yet to be announced, as Berd Motorsports and RCR hasn’t made final decisions on the lineup.

Jimmie Johnson (via USA Today)
Jimmie Johnson (via USA Today)

The two biggest names in the open entry list are the former second division champion Justin Allgaier, who is set to drive for JR Motorsport and the reigning Truck Series champion Corey Heim, who will drive for his parent team 23XI Racing. Both of them are expected to make it into the final lineup, considering they will have fats cars and are proven racers.

The other three that in the fight are, Casey Mears who is set to drive the Garage 66, legendary racer BJ McLeod who is set to race for Live Fast Motorsports and veteran JJ Yeley who will drive for NY Racing. All three will have the same shot at making into the starting grid, with the last two having the advantage of experience.

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