DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. >> The Daytona 500 has NASCAR’s most unique — and complicated — qualifying format.

And it got more convoluted this year with the largest number of entrants in a decade and a new rule that could add a 41st driver to the 40-car field.

There are 36 guys already locked into Sunday’s 500-mile race because of their teams’ own charters, which guarantee them entry into every race on the Cup Series schedule. The remaining four spots are filled by non-chartered cars, often referred to as “open teams.”

There are nine drivers — the most since 2015 — vying for those spots: Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Helio Castroneves, Jimmie Johnson, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Chandler Smith, Martin Truex Jr. and J.J. Yeley.

They can get into “The Great American Race” two ways, with two spots going to the drivers who turn the fastest laps in qualifying Wednesday and two more spots being determined through qualifying races Thursday.

Although Castroneves is driving for an open team, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is locked into the field through a new rule that allows NASCAR to invite a “world-class driver” to each event. His Trackhouse Racing team was the only one to apply before the deadline, so he was the only driver NASCAR considered for the provisional spot.

But if Castroneves uses the provisional, his team gets no prize money. So he will try to qualify his way in. If he doesn’t qualify, he would get in via the provisional — and the 500 would have 41 cars.

Here’s a look at the nine:

Anthony Alfredo

Alfredo, 25, returns to Daytona with Beard Motorsports.

Justin Allgaier

The reigning Xfinity Series champion will be behind the wheel for JR Motorsports’ first attempt at making the Daytona 500.

Helio Castroneves

Castroneves will make his NASCAR debut in the No. 91 Chevrolet regardless of how he qualifies.

Jimmie Johnson

The seven-time Cup champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, now the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, is entering two races this year.

Corey LaJoie

LaJoie, 33, is running a partial schedule for Rick Ware Racing and trying to make his ninth consecutive Daytona 500.

B.J. McLeod

McLeod, owner and driver at Live Fast Motorsports, sold his charter for a reported $40 million to Spire Motorsports in 2023.

Chandler Smith

Smith is attempting to make the race with Garage 66, replacing Mike Wallace in the No. 66 Ford.

Martin Truex Jr.

Truex retired from full-time competition last season, but the 2017 Cup champion entered the race with TRICON Garage.

J.J. Yeley

Yeley is trying to make his sixth Daytona 500 and first since 2015.