DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (SMU) -- SMU football alumnus Robert Richardson, Jr., will race in the 58th running of the Iconic Daytona 500 on Sunday, after qualifying at the Can-Am Duel Thursday night. Richardson, Jr., will drive the No. 26 Toyota Camary for BK Racing.

Richardson, Jr., was one of eight drivers competing for four spots in "The Great American Race," and locked in a spot after finishing 18th in the second of two Can-Am Duel races. The McKinney, Texas, native is listed to start in the final, 40th position on Sunday, but any drivers who have to change cars due to a wreck in either duel race, will start behind him.

The 33-year-old has raced in two previous Daytona 500's, finishing 31st in 2010 and 38th in 2011. The race Sunday will be his ninth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. He has started in 129 Xfinity Series races.

Richardson, Jr. played one season on the Hilltop seeing time as a backup quarterback under coach Mike Cavan. He graduated from SMU with a degree in Studio Art with a minor in photography.

The Daytona 500 will take place at 1 p.m. ET/12 CT on Sunday, Feb. 21. The race can be seen on Fox.

--SMUMustangs.com--