Only Illinois Driver in the Daytona 500 Has a Legit Chance to Win

One of the most prestigious races in America happens today if the weather allows it. It's the Daytona 500 where only one Illinois driver will be in the race, but he has a legitimate chance to win it.

If you look at the Daytona 500 starting lineup on the official NASCAR website, you'll only see one driver that calls Illinois home that I'm aware of. It's Justin Allgaier who hails from Riverton, Illinois. Justin was the 2024 Xfinity Series champion (now called O'Reilly Auto Parts Series), but he's also officially qualified for the Daytona 500 in the #40 Traveler's Whiskey car.

Why does Justin Allgaier have a legitimate chance to win the Daytona 500?

Justin Allgaier's car owner is Dale Earnhardt Jr who won the Daytona 500 himself twice and his JR Motorsports cars are known to be serious contenders at all restrictor plate tracks like Daytona. In an interview this weekend after qualifying and the duels Thursday night, Justin thinks they have a car that can win the race, too.

The big question about the Daytona 500 today is if the weather will rain it out or not. Due to incoming rain that's expected after 4pm today, NASCAR has moved the start of the race up to 12:30pm central time in hopes of completing the race before storms arrive. Keep an eye on the #40 Traveler's Whiskey car in the race. If he can avoid getting caught up in wrecks today, Justin Allgaier from Riverton, Illinois has a real chance to hoist that big trophy.