Allgaier Leads Late in DAYTONA 500, Traveller Whiskey No. 40 Eliminated in Crash

Race 1 of 36: DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway
Track Specs: 2.5-mile oval / 200 laps
Race Winner: Tyler Reddick
Allgaier’s finish: 38^th

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, fought valiantly throughout the 2026 running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday afternoon. Lining up from the 40^th position, Allgaier charged through the field, racing into the top five for the first time at lap 81 and then into the race lead at lap 84. From there, the JR Motorsports driver continued to battle inside the top five, drafting with his fellow Chevrolet teammates before once again taking the top spot on lap 123.

However, while trying to gain sole possession of the lead, Allgaier was clipped in the right rear and sent hard into the outside retaining wall, causing significant damage to both the front and rear of his Traveller Chevrolet. Crew chief Greg Ives and crew hoped to be able to make repairs, but the damage was deemed too severe to continue, forcing Allgaier to go to the garage and retire for the day. In the end, Allgaier was scored with a 38^th-place finish.

“I felt like our No. 40 Traveller Chevrolet was incredible all day. Greg Ives and this whole team have done a phenomenal job building a race car that we felt like we could come here and not only run up front, but be able to lead laps. Hats-off to Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and Kelley (Earnhardt-Miller) and everyone at JRM for this opportunity. To have Traveller Whiskey and Chris Stapleton back on board, it was great to be out front and lead the DAYTONA 500. I just hate that we had our day end early and didn’t get to stay out front and race for the win.”