Dale Earnhardt Jr. was up bright and early at Daytona International Speedway, eagerly awaiting a historic moment for his race team. The proud team owner was in the garage right when it opened at 6 a.m., watching as JR Motorsports (JRM) unloaded its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series entry.
For years, fans have speculated about when JRM would make the jump to the Cup Series. That moment has finally arrived, and there was no way Earnhardt Jr. was going to miss it.
“This is a big deal for us,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I wanted to be here first thing to take it all in. We’ve had success in Xfinity for a long time, and now we get to see what we can do at the Cup level.”
JR Motorsports has been a powerhouse in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, winning multiple championships and developing talent that has gone on to Cup success. Now, the organization is taking its first step into NASCAR’s top series, and there’s no better place to do it than the Daytona 500—the race that Earnhardt Jr. himself won twice as a driver.
As the garage came to life in the early morning hours, Earnhardt Jr. stood with his team, watching every detail of the car’s first official moments at the track. Crew members worked meticulously, making last-minute checks and adjustments before hitting the track for practice later in the day.
JRM’s entry into the Daytona 500 marks a major milestone for the organization, but it’s also deeply personal for Earnhardt Jr. Daytona holds a special place in his heart—not only as a two-time winner but also as the site of some of the most significant moments in his family’s racing legacy.
Fans will be watching closely to see how JR Motorsports performs in its Cup debut. For Earnhardt Jr., simply being there at 6 a.m. to witness history was already a victory in itself.
