Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson lock themselves into Daytona 500 field

A pair of NASCAR Cup Series champions won't have to worry about making the 2025 Daytona 500 via the duels on Thursday. 

2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson weren't guaranteed a starting spot in Sunday's Daytona 500, but during Wednesday's qualifying session, they locked themselves in. 

Truex Jr. and Johnson were the fastest of the nine open cars competing for four spots in the 'Great American Race.' The highest finishing open car in Thursday's duel races not already locked into the race will fill out the two remaining spots in the field. 

Johnson barely raced his way into the 2024 Daytona 500 in the duels, and was quite relieved to be locked into the field this year. 

"After what I went through last year, I'm so thrilled," Johnson told Fox Sports. "Very proud of everyone at LEGACY Motor Club and the effort they put into this car and the evolution we've been on through the end of 2024 to now."