Overview
- NASCAR confirmed Legacy Motor Club applied for and received the Open Exemption Provisional, securing Johnson’s place in the Feb. 15 season opener.
- The revised policy makes any event with an active Open Exemption a 41-car field whenever more than 40 entries attempt to qualify, regardless of Johnson’s qualifying result.
- Legacy declared it will take the 41st spot, meaning Johnson’s entry will not earn Cup Series points or prize money.
- Standard Daytona 500 qualifying procedures remain in place, with four open positions still available to non-chartered teams.
- Johnson returns in the No. 84 Carvana-sponsored Toyota Camry XSE for his 701st Cup start as fan reaction focuses on fairness and transparency around the rule change.