RFK Racing, Beard Motorsports Announce Open Entries for Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — RFK Racing and Beard Motorsports announced open entries for the Daytona 500 with drivers Corey LaJoie and Anthony Alfredo.

Corey LaJoie will try to make the Daytona 500 with an RFK-fielded No. 99 Trimble Ford Mustang. The entry is a "Thank you" to LaJoie, who will fill in for Brad Keselowski in the Feb. 1 Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium while he is recovering from a broken leg. 

“This is a dream come true to get an opportunity with RFK Racing at the Daytona 500,” LaJoie said. “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.”

In a press release sent Tuesday announcing the news, RFK described LaJoie as a "trusted and reliable resource" for the team. Having a fourth car, in general, will also help his teammates – Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece.

“From a competition standpoint, having a fourth car gives us and Ford Racing a better chance to win the Daytona 500,” Keselowski said. “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.”

RFK's teamwork will be a challenge for Anthony Alfredo, who was named to Beard Motorsports' No. 62 Chevrolet for a Daytona 500 attempt in 2026.

Alfredo will try to make his third Daytona 500 and his second with Beard Motorsports – a team that has been in six of the last nine Daytona 500s. 

“There is nothing like being in Daytona Beach in February for the Daytona 500,” said Amie Beard-Deja, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports. “Our family and everyone at Beard Motorsports take pride in our NASCAR program and being part of this community. And when we go to the track, whether it’s Daytona, Talladega or another track, we go with the intention of performing well and contending for wins."

Beard Motorsports commended Alfredo for his addition to the team.

“The work Anthony (Alfredo) puts into his craft and his skill in the superspeedway races align with the goals we have for our racing program,” Beard-Deja added. “He and Darren (Shaw) have developed a great working relationship, so our expectations for Daytona are very high.”

Alfredo is ready to go, trying to make his 44th career NASCAR Cup Series start before kicking off a full-time tenure in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. 

"Each race is special, but there is nothing like the #Daytona500. Ready for another shot with @BeardOil62 in February. I couldn’t be more excited to take on this feat with my biggest supporters, @DUDEwipes. Time to make the most of it," Anthony Alfredo posted on social media. 

With these entries confirmed for the Daytona 500, knockouts will take place. Two open drivers will make the Daytona 500 based on their qualifying time Wednesday while two will make it based on how Thursday's Duels shake out.

BJ McLeod (No. 78), Casey Mears (No. 66), Justin Allgaier (No. 40), Anthony Alfredo (No. 62) and Corey LaJoie (No. 99) are set to compete for those spots with other entries yet to be announced, possibly including Corey Heim in the No. 67 23XI Racing entry. 

A fifth open driver – Jimmie Johnson – will also make the race, thanks to the open exemption provisional.