Justin Allgaier to lead JR Motorsports' attempt at Daytona 500

Reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier will head up JR Motorsports' attempt to make its NASCAR Cup Series debut in February, the group announced Wednesday.

Allgaier, 38, has 25 wins and 282 top-10 finishes in his Xfinity career.

"It's been really special," Allgaier told NASCAR.com. "To be at an organization like this and to be able to make a team debut at the Daytona 500, that's special. Obviously, we have to qualify our way in. We have a lot of work to do. It's going to be difficult. But there wouldn't be anybody that I'd rather tackle this opportunity with."

Allgaier will pilot the No. 40 during qualifying, a Chevrolet, with a title sponsor of Traveller Whiskey. Greg Ives will serve as crew chief, with JRM owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller collaborating with musician Chris Stapleton on the entry, a long-held goal for JRM, which has seen tremendous success on the Xfinity circuit.

"We've been waiting for the right moment for JR Motorsports," Earnhardt Jr. said in a press release. "With Justin winning the Xfinity Series Championship and Chris Stapleton's undeniable star power, the planets aligned for this perfect opportunity to enter this year's Daytona 500."

The group has its sights set high.

"I'm not showing up to go run 30th, right?" Allgaier said. "We're going there to try to have an opportunity to win the Daytona 500. What a story that would be if we could just go there and win."

--Field Level Media