Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier secured their places in the upcoming Daytona 500 after posting impressive speeds at Wednesday night’s qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Both drivers, competing without guaranteed starting spots, will join the premier event grid set for Sunday.
Qualifying Speeds and Starting Positions
Heim led the non-chartered drivers with a lap speed of 183.158 mph in the No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota, ranking seventh overall in the first qualifying round. Allgaier followed closely in the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, registering a lap at 182.923 mph, which placed him 14th overall. These times secured their entry into the 41-car Daytona 500 field.
Complete Field and Upcoming Race Details
Joining Heim and Allgaier on the starting grid are 36 chartered drivers and provisional starter Jimmie Johnson. The remaining openings for the race will be decided in Thursday night’s 150-mile qualifying races, which start at 7 p.m. ET and will determine the final composition of the field.
Drivers Still Competing for Final Spots
Six drivers remain in contention for the last two places on the Daytona 500 starting roster: Chandler Smith, J.J. Yeley, Anthony Alfredo, Casey Mears, BJ McLeod, and Corey LaJoie. Among them, LaJoie came the closest during Wednesday’s qualifying, missing Allgaier’s lap time by a mere 0.004 seconds, keeping his hopes for the race alive.
Background on Heim and Allgaier’s NASCAR Achievements
Both drivers bring recent championship experience to the Daytona 500. Justin Allgaier, who won the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title in 2024, will make a consecutive Daytona 500 appearance with JR Motorsports. For Corey Heim, the Craftsman Truck Series champion from last year, this race marks his debut in NASCAR’s most prestigious event, often called the Great American Race.
Looking Ahead to the Daytona 500
The confirmation of Heim and Allgaier’s spots emphasizes the competitive nature of entry into the Daytona 500, where non-chartered drivers must prove their speed and skill to join the elite field. With qualifying races upcoming, the final lineup will soon be set, heightening anticipation for the high-profile event broadcast on FOX, HBO Max, and followed by NASCAR radio outlets.
“Six drivers will be vying for the two remaining starting spots in Thursday’s twin qualifiers, with four drivers failing to qualify.” ?Unnamed source
“LaJoie came closest to sealing his spot Wednesday, ending qualifying just 0.004 seconds off Allgaier’s time.” ?Unnamed source
