Beard Motorsports will field an open entry into the 2026 Daytona 500 with Anthony Alfredo as their driver, the team announced Tuesday.
Darren Shaw will return as the crew chief, overseeing the No. 62 Dude Wipes Chevrolet’s efforts. If the team is able to qualify for the event at Daytona International Speedway, it’ll be Beard Motorsports’ seventh time competing in the Great American Race.
The decision to enter Anthony Alfredo continues a relationship that began in 2024. Alfredo finished 27th in that year’s Daytona 500, following it up with an impressive sixth-place run in the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway. He then ran both Talladega races in 2025, having missed the starting lineup for the 2025 Daytona 500.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Daytona 500 with Beard Motorsports and Dude Wipes,” Alfredo said. “Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series is always a thrill, but that feeling is amplified when it comes to the Daytona 500. It’s an iconic race and a win in that race places a driver in elite company. I’m thankful for the opportunity the Beard family gives me and a win in the Great American Race would be an amazing way to thank them.”
Beard Motorsports
Beard Motorsports has competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2017, seemingly targeting drafting-style tracks for their best shot at success. The formula has produced promising results, with top-ten finishes coming from Alfredo, Brendan Gaughan, Noah Gragson, and Parker Retzlaff.
“The work Anthony puts into his craft and his skill in the superspeedway races align with the goals we have for our racing program,” added Beard Motorsports Executive Vice President Amie Beard-Deja. “He and Darren have developed a great working relationship, so our expectations for Daytona are very high.”
Open Daytona 500 Entries
For the No. 62 Dude Wipes Chevrolet to make the Daytona 500 starting lineup, they’ll have to earn a starting spot in either qualifying or one of the two Duel races. There are six other open entries: Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports), JJ Yeley (NY Racing), Casey Mears (MBM Motorsports), Corey Heim (23XI Racing), BJ McLeod (Live Fast Motorsports), and Corey LaJoie (RFK Racing).
Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club entry could also take an open spot if he makes the qualification, but if not he’ll still race in a 41st starting spot via the open exemption provisional. As of Wednesday, there are 44 entries for either 40 or 41 starting spots, depending on how the seven-time champion does.
