MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 17, 2025) – As announced via social media on Friday evening, JR Motorsports and 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton, will be making their return to the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2026 running of the DAYTONA 500. Following a historic top-10 finish in their maiden voyage in “The Great American Race,” this successful pairing, in conjunction once again with Buffalo Trace Distillery, will field a Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet for the second time in JRM’s illustrious history. In a nod to the signature Blend No. 40 found in in every bottle of Traveller, the team will again field the No. 40 car, driven by 2024 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion Justin Allgaier, who will return behind the wheel for JRM’s DAYTONA 500 entry.
“Getting the opportunity to enter a second DAYTONA 500 is something that is extremely special to everyone at JR Motorsports,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “Last year was an amazing moment and I’m very proud to be able to see this group come back together with the support of Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey to go after it again in February.”
Proudly blended and bottled at the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery under Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley’s expert supervision, Traveller Whiskey is the result of countless hours of testing, tasting and dedication to craftsmanship that have produced powerful songs and world-class whiskeys. Recently, Traveller was named “Best of Class American Blended Whiskey” at the New York World Spirits Competition, adding more prestige to the whiskey that was already named the “Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey of 2024.”
Piloting the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet for team owners Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the organization’s most decorated driver in Allgaier. Allgaier, from Riverton, Ill., is the 2024 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion, a record six-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Most Popular Driver as voted on by the fans, the all-time series leader in top-10 finishes, and JRM’s all-time leader in wins. Additionally, longtime cornerstone partner for JRM and Allgaier, BRANDT Professional Agriculture, will again be on board the No. 40 Chevrolet in a supporting role. Last season, Allgaier methodically navigated the pack en route to a dramatic ninth-place finish in JRM’s inaugural running of the DAYTONA 500.
“I’m honored to be able to have the chance to drive this Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet again for Dale, Kelley and all of JR Motorsports,” said Allgaier. “Last year was such an incredible opportunity and experience and I am really thankful that Chris Stapleton and Traveller wanted to come back and be a part of this again. We had the speed last year and I know that we will again to make it into the DAYTONA 500. It’s going to be an unbelievable time.”
JRM’s quest for the DAYTONA 500 marks the second time that Earnhardt Jr. and Earnhardt-Miller have entered a race in the Cup Series as team-owners. Under their leadership in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, JRM has been a pillar of success, earning 105 wins, a record 17 of which coming during the 2025 season, and four championships with drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron, Tyler Reddick and most recently with Allgaier.
Be sure to catch Allgaier and the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet all week long at Daytona International Speedway as JRM attempts to qualify for the 2026 running of the DAYTONA 500, beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for DAYTONA 500 Qualifying, followed by the Duels on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. ET and culminating with the 68th running of “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Bottled at 90 proof, Traveller Whiskey is a completely unique combination of whiskeys hand-selected from The Sazerac Company’s award-winning distilleries. Traveller Whiskey is widely available to retailers, bars and restaurants through Sazerac’s United States and global distributor networks at a suggested retail price of $39.99 (local taxes and fees will vary). To learn more, visit www.travellerwhiskey.com.
