Overview
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. confirmed that Carson Kvapil will race full-time in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for JR Motorsports.
- JR Motorsports plans to pair the 22-year-old with veteran crew chief Rodney Childers to accelerate the No. 1 team’s push for victories.
- Kvapil reached the 2025 Championship 4 without a win, earning his berth on points after finishing 18th at Martinsville and posting three runner-up results and four top fives.
- Kvapil said the experience from this full-time season and working with Childers should help in 2026, adding that winning races is the primary goal.
- Earnhardt Jr. said the team will share remaining race and program details after Phoenix and voiced concern that JGR’s use of Aric Almirola for owner points could affect the drivers’ title fight.