Jimmie Johnson and Legacy Motor Club have utilized the Open Exemption Provisional to secure a guaranteed starting position for Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota at the 2026 Daytona 500. This move ensures Johnson’s place in the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and simultaneously impacts the other open teams competing for spots in the field.
This marks the second consecutive year that a NASCAR Cup Series driver and team have used this provisional exemption, with Helio Castroneves and Trackhouse Racing having done the same in 2025. However, changes to the rule in 2026 mean Johnson’s guaranteed position actually benefits all other open drivers rather than limiting their chances.
How Changes to the Rule Will Affect Open Teams in 2026
In 2025, Castroneves was still required to qualify through speed or Duel race results to earn his place but failed, leading to his provisional entry as the 41st driver. For 2026, the format shifts as the race field is expanded to 41 drivers regardless of Johnson’s performance during Speedweeks, with his entry counted like a 37th chartered team guaranteed a spot.
This adjustment means Johnson’s position does not subtract from the eight open-entry drivers competing for the four remaining open slots, maintaining the traditional four open-car spots but increasing the total grid size by one. As a result, the battle remains an eight-car contest for four places instead of three, providing a better opportunity for open teams to qualify.
This rule change could prove crucial for one driver who might otherwise have missed the race, offering a chance to compete in the 68th running of the Great American Race.
List of Open-Entry Drivers and Teams Affected
The drivers competing as open entries this year include:
- Chandler Smith driving the No. 36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports
- Justin Allgaier piloting the No. 40 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports
- J.J. Yeley in the No. 44 Chevrolet for NY Racing Team
- Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel of the No. 62 Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports
- Casey Mears in the No. 66 Ford for Garage 66
- Corey Heim driving the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing
- B.J. McLeod in the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports
- Corey LaJoie piloting the No. 99 Ford for RFK Racing
These eight drivers remain in contention for four open spots in the field, now with an improved chance of qualifying thanks to the adjustment benefiting Johnson’s guaranteed entry.
Upcoming Events to Follow the Daytona 500 Qualification
The qualification process will unfold with single-car qualifying on Wednesday, February 11, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1, followed by the America 250 Florida Duel races on Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET, also on Fox Sports 1. The Daytona 500 itself will be broadcast live on Sunday, February 15, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Fans can follow the action closely as the open-team battle for remaining Daytona 500 spots reaches its conclusion and determines which drivers earn the right to compete in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious races.
