There will be no agonizing wait for Jimmie Johnson to make the Daytona 500 this year. A year after a white-knuckle trip into the field through a harrowing qualifying race, the seven-time Cup Series champion had an easier time in qualifying Wednesday night for the 67th edition of the Great American Race.

After a productive practice session and a hot lap in qualifying, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will watch Justin Allgaier race his way into the Daytona 500. At least, that’s the only plan as of right now. The first NASCAR Cup Series race for JR Motorsports is not off to a great start.

The countdown continues as Clash weekend arrives and Daytona's NASCAR Speedweek gets closer and closer. With the 2025 Daytona 500 looming on Feb. 16, the Daytona Beach News-Journal is checking off the boxes on the calendar until the 67th running of the Great American Race.