Daytona Beach, FL – The moment has arrived for Justin Allgaier. As pre-race ceremonies get underway at Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR Xfinity Series veteran is set to make his attempt at qualifying for the prestigious Daytona 500 in tonight’s Bluegreen Vacations Duel races.
Allgaier, a longtime fan favorite and a staple in the Xfinity Series, is driving the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet in his bid to race his way into Sunday’s Great American Race. With only a handful of open spots available for non-chartered teams, Allgaier must either secure a top-two finish among the non-chartered entries in his Duel or rely on his qualifying speed from Wednesday night to lock in.
A Veteran’s Shot at the 500
Despite his success in NASCAR’s lower divisions, Allgaier has never started in the Daytona 500, making this opportunity with Beard Motorsports one of the biggest of his career. The 37-year-old driver has long been known for his skill on superspeedways in the Xfinity Series, but making the leap to the Cup Series’ biggest race presents an entirely new challenge.
“This is a dream come true,” Allgaier said earlier this week. “I’ve been fortunate to race at Daytona many times, but to have a shot at the Daytona 500 is really special. Beard Motorsports has always done a great job in these races, and I’m excited for the challenge.”
Pre-Race Ceremonies Underway on FS1
With engines set to fire soon, the anticipation is building at Daytona. FS1’s coverage of the Bluegreen Vacations Duels is in full swing, with pre-race ceremonies honoring the sport’s history and the start of another NASCAR season. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Allgaier can race his way into the big show and add his name to the prestigious list of Daytona 500 starters.
The pressure is high, but if Allgaier can make the field, it will be a milestone moment in his career. Now, it all comes down to what happens on track.
