Dale Earnhardt Jr, president of professional race team JR Motorsports (JRM), has teamed up with country superstar Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery for the highly anticipated DAYTONA 500.
This will mark the first time that Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, have entered a race in the Cup Series as team-owners of JRM. To celebrate this milestone, the NASCAR Hall of Famer and two-time DAYTONA 500 winner has announced that JRM will field a No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet inspired by Stapleton’s premium whiskey with Buffalo Trace Distillery. Reigning and defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Justin Allgaier will be behind the wheel for JRM as they embark on the “The Great American Race.”
“This is an incredible honor to be driving JR Motorsports’ inaugural entry into the Cup Series, and to do it with not only Dale and Kelley, but Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey makes this even more special,” said Allgaier. “Entering into the DAYTONA 500 has been a goal of this company for a long time and I know that we are going to have everything we need to go out and contend for the win. This is going to be special for sure.”
Hailing from Riverton, Ill, Allgaier is a highly decorated driver with a slew of achievements on his resume. His impressive career highlights include being the regaining NXS Champion, a five-time recipient of the fan-voted NXS Most Popular Driver award, the all-time NXS series leader in top-10 finishes, and JRM’s all-time leader in wins. This won’t be Allgaier’s first time competing in the Cup Series, as he previously raced full-time at the highest level of North American motorsports during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. More recently, in 2024, he stepped in as a substitute for 2021 Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he finished in the 13th position.
“We’ve been waiting for the right moment for JR Motorsports,” said Earnhardt Jr. “With Justin winning the Xfinity Series championship and Chris Stapleton’s undeniable star power, the planets aligned for this perfect opportunity to enter this year’s Daytona 500.”
The car’s design that will be showcased across the track by the veteran driver is inspired by the collaboration between Buffalo Trace Distillery and Stapleton known as Traveller. Named after the 10x GRAMMY winner’s debut album, the bottles of Blend No. 40 were created using a unique combination of whiskeys hand-selected from The Sazerac Company’s award-winning distilleries. The spirit offers a flavor profile featuring notes of oak, sweet maple, tart currant and leather in addition to aromas of vanilla, aged fruit, buttery shortbread and caramel. The inclusion of spice, toasted nut and oak flavors also adds a touch of sweetness.
Since its debut in January 2024, Traveller earned the distinction of Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey with 15 accolades including the “Master” medal from The Luxury Masters and the “Best in Class Gold” award at the 2024 Whiskies of the World competition.
“Traveller Whiskey joining JR Motorsports for their inaugural entry into the Cup Series at the DAYTONA 500 feels like a very natural partnership,” said Stapleton. “I’m honored to be a part of this historic moment with Dale and Kelley, and excited to see Justin race the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet in Daytona.”
JRM’s pursuit of the DAYTONA 500 is representative of the new leadership Earnhardt Jr. and Earnhardt-Miller have brought to the organization. As a result of their work in the NASCAR Xfinity Series JRM has racked up 88 victories and four championships with drivers such as Chase Elliott, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Justin Allgaier. In addition to this being a major race because of JRM’s debut, it will also serve as a sentimental event for the siblings whose father, Dale Earnhardt, died while competing in the 2001 Daytona 500.
Fans can watch Allgaier and the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet hit the Daytona International Speedway all week long in attempt to qualify for the 2025 running of the DAYTONA 500.
Follow along with the action beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET for DAYTONA 500 Qualifying, followed by the Duels on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:00 p.m. ET and culminating with the 67th 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.
Traveller Whiskey is also available for purchase in 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.
The post Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chris Stapleton Unveil No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet For 2025 Daytona 500 appeared first on Country Now.
