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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Confirms Carson Kvapil as 2026 Full-Time Driver
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has confirmed that Carson Kvapil will race full-time in 2026 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
JR Motorsports plans to place Kvapil alongside veteran crew chief Rodney Childers. They’re looking to park up on Victory Lane.
“Having Rodney, and I think there’s going to be a lot of good things coming next year,” Kvapil added. “And just me having the experience of running this full-time season this year is going to really going to help us next year, but winning races is the main goal.”
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 25: Carson Kvapil, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250 at Martinsville Speedway on October 25, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The North Carolina driver is readying himself for Phoenix and the Championship 4 before he attacks 2026 preparations.
A special announcement from @DaleJr and @Carson_Kvapil . pic.twitter.com/FiWlcDQgQ3— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) October 29, 2025
“Yeah, it’s super exciting,” he continued. “Obviously, going into the final four here, we’re just trying to focus on winning the championship. But at the same time, looking ahead, super excited to go try to race for a championship next year, too.”
Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to revealing more later in the year.
“Once we’re beyond Phoenix, we’ll have more information about what those remaining races look like,” he said. “So we’ll be sharing all that once we get through Phoenix.”
The 22-year old has reached the Championship 4 without a win, instead finishing second three separate times while also logging four top-five finishes. After an 18th place finish at Martinsville, he achieved his berth on points.
“That was probably the most nerve-wracking racing I’ve done in my career,” Kvapil said via NASCAR.com. “Obviously, we were sitting in a pretty good spot before we got turned around there.
“I think the sky’s the limit for these guys. Our season hasn’t been the flashiest … but you never know. It all comes down to one race and we’ve got a 25-percent chance of winning.”
This comes after Earnhardt voiced his concern over JGR’s decision to field Aric Almirola.
“I love Aric,” the NASCAR legend said during his podcast. “I’d like to think we’re friends, and I’m happy for him to go through this process and make these memories with his kids. Those are great things. But now he’s going to run Martinsville and Phoenix.
“They’re going for that owner’s points championship in the 19 car, and I worry how that will mingle with the drivers’ championship, you know?”
He continued:
“Hopefully, Aric can do what he needs to do to give them the best shot to win the owner’s championship. I want that for him. He’s free to race hard, but I just hope that he doesn’t affect the drivers’ championship in some negative way. That would be tough.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has confirmed that Carson Kvapil will race full-time in 2026 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
JR Motorsports plans to place Kvapil alongside veteran crew chief Rodney Childers. They’re looking to park up on Victory Lane.
“Having Rodney, and I think there’s going to be a lot of good things coming next year,” Kvapil added. “And just me having the experience of running this full-time season this year is going to really going to help us next year, but winning races is the main goal.”
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 25: Carson Kvapil, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250 at Martinsville Speedway on October 25, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The North Carolina driver is readying himself for Phoenix and the Championship 4 before he attacks 2026 preparations.
A special announcement from @DaleJr and @Carson_Kvapil . pic.twitter.com/FiWlcDQgQ3— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) October 29, 2025
“Yeah, it’s super exciting,” he continued. “Obviously, going into the final four here, we’re just trying to focus on winning the championship. But at the same time, looking ahead, super excited to go try to race for a championship next year, too.”
Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to revealing more later in the year.
“Once we’re beyond Phoenix, we’ll have more information about what those remaining races look like,” he said. “So we’ll be sharing all that once we get through Phoenix.”
The 22-year old has reached the Championship 4 without a win, instead finishing second three separate times while also logging four top-five finishes. After an 18th place finish at Martinsville, he achieved his berth on points.
“That was probably the most nerve-wracking racing I’ve done in my career,” Kvapil said via NASCAR.com. “Obviously, we were sitting in a pretty good spot before we got turned around there.
“I think the sky’s the limit for these guys. Our season hasn’t been the flashiest … but you never know. It all comes down to one race and we’ve got a 25-percent chance of winning.”
This comes after Earnhardt voiced his concern over JGR’s decision to field Aric Almirola.
“I love Aric,” the NASCAR legend said during his podcast. “I’d like to think we’re friends, and I’m happy for him to go through this process and make these memories with his kids. Those are great things. But now he’s going to run Martinsville and Phoenix.
“They’re going for that owner’s points championship in the 19 car, and I worry how that will mingle with the drivers’ championship, you know?”
He continued:
“Hopefully, Aric can do what he needs to do to give them the best shot to win the owner’s championship. I want that for him. He’s free to race hard, but I just hope that he doesn’t affect the drivers’ championship in some negative way. That would be tough.”
