DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona 500 is known for its intricate and unique qualifying process, which has become even more complex this year. With a record number of participants in a decade, a new regulation could potentially increase the driver count to 41 for the race, adding to the excitement and tension of qualifying.

For the upcoming 500-mile race, 36 competitors are already guaranteed spots due to their teams holding charters. These charters assure their participation in every event throughout the Cup Series. The remaining four positions will be filled by non-chartered teams, also known as “open teams.”

This year, there are nine drivers contending for those coveted spots, marking the highest number since 2015. The participants include Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Helio Castroneves, Jimmie Johnson, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Chandler Smith, Martin Truex Jr., and J.J. Yeley. Jimmie Johnson remarked on the intense nature of qualifying, stating, “It’s not just seven whatevers. When you look through the affiliations and how those cars play out, it’s going to be a very stressful qualifying.”

The drivers have two pathways to secure a place in “The Great American Race”: two spots will go to the fastest qualifiers on Wednesday, and the remaining two will be awarded through heats on Thursday. Helio Castroneves, despite racing for an open team, has his entry secured via a new rule that permits NASCAR to select a “world-class driver” for each event. His team was the only one to submit an application in time, making him the sole candidate for the special spot.

However, there are stipulations involved. If Castroneves uses the provisional spot, his team will forfeit any prize money, leading him to strive for a qualifying spot in a traditional manner. If successful, the Daytona 500 will feature a 40-car lineup with five open entries missing out. Conversely, if he fails to qualify, he will fall back on the provisional, resulting in a 41-car race.

Here’s an overview of the nine contenders, listed alphabetically:

**Anthony Alfredo**
Alfredo, 25, returns with Beard Motorsports, having finished 27th in the previous year’s race. In his 41 career Cup starts, he boasts two top-10 finishes and hopes to help Beard Motorsports make the field for the seventh time since 2017.

**Justin Allgaier**
Allgaier, the reigning Xfinity Series champion, is embarking on his first Daytona 500 attempt with JR Motorsports, co-owned by two-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. The entry is backed by music star Chris Stapleton. Allgaier, 38, has yet to notch a win in 82 Cup starts.

**Helio Castroneves**
Making his NASCAR debut, Castroneves will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet. At 49 years old, he is one of four drivers to have won the Indy 500 four times and has experienced significant success at Daytona, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona three times.

**Jimmie Johnson**
The two-time Daytona 500 champion and seven-time Cup champion is now the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club. Johnson, 49, aims to make his 22nd Daytona 500 and will need to qualify for the race for the third consecutive year. His car features a design inspired by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.

**Corey LaJoie**
LaJoie, 33, is running a limited schedule for Rick Ware Racing and seeks to make his ninth Daytona 500. With three top-10 finishes, including a career-best fourth last year, he aims for another strong performance.

**B.J. McLeod**
At 41, McLeod has transitioned from racing with a charter to becoming an owner and driver for Live Fast Motorsports. After selling his charter for around $40 million to Spire Motorsports, he is selecting when to race, and Daytona is a priority for him. He has five prior starts in the Daytona 500, with a top finish of 19th.

**Chandler Smith**
Smith, 22, is looking to secure a spot with Garage 66 in the No. 66 Ford, stepping in for Mike Wallace. After unsuccessful attempts with Kaulig Racing previously, he is also set to compete in a full Truck Series schedule.

**Martin Truex Jr.**
Truex, 45, reenters the race following his retirement from full-time competition last season, driving the No. 56 Toyota for TRICON Garage. His vehicle is receiving technical support from Joe Gibbs Racing, despite Truex not having won in 20 Daytona 500 appearances, although he finished second in the 2016 race.

**J.J. Yeley**
Yeley, at 48, is making a bid to qualify for his sixth Daytona 500, with his last attempt being in 2015. Teaming up with NY Racing Team, he will be behind the wheel of the No. 44 Chevrolet, looking for a breakthrough after 386 Cup starts without a victory.