In a move that’s sure to excite fans, JR Motorsports has confirmed that Carson Kvapil will race full-time in the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series, reversing earlier plans that had him sharing the No. 1 car with Connor Zilisch. The news was revealed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. during his podcast, marking a major milestone for the 22-year-old rising star who’s been turning heads all season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Confirms Kvapil’s Full-Time Promotion
“Hey everybody, it’s Dale Jr. and I’m here with Carson Kvapil, one of our drivers at Junior Motorsports,” Earnhardt Jr. said, teeing up the big reveal. “We were talking earlier today and alluded to the fact that we’ve got a little bit of news to share about your experience next year in the Xfinity Series.”
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation. When JR Motorsports initially said Kvapil and Zilisch would split time in the No. 1 car, fans were quick to question the decision. Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged the concern directly:
“I know a lot of people were curious when we made the announcement that you and Connor were gonna share the car. They were worried, Hey, why is he not running full-time?”
Behind the scenes, Earnhardt Jr. and his team were already working to make Carson Kvapil’s full-time move a reality. “We’ve been working really hard over the last couple of weeks trying to put together all of the pieces of the puzzle to make this announcement,” he said. “You’re actually gonna be full-time.”
Carson Kvapil Shares Excitement for 2026 Season
Kvapil’s reaction said it all, pure excitement. “Yeah, it’s super exciting,” he said. “Obviously, going into the final four here, we’re just trying to focus on winning the championship. But at the same time, looking ahead, I’m super excited to go try to race for a championship next year too.”
The 2025 season has already been a breakout year for Kvapil. With a Championship 4 appearance under his belt, he’s quickly proven that he belongs among NASCAR’s rising elite. Now, with a full-time seat secured for 2026, he’s looking to build on that momentum and chase more wins.
Rodney Childers Joins as Crew Chief for 2026
One of the biggest storylines surrounding Kvapil’s full-time deal is his pairing with Rodney Childers, a championship-winning crew chief with years of Cup Series experience. Earnhardt Jr. called the move a “game-changer” for JR Motorsports.
“Pairing you with Rodney Childers next year, our expectation is to go win races,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We knew winning races meant you’d be playoff eligible, so we had to fill out the rest of that calendar.”
Super excited for @Carson_Kvapil .. He deserves it, and I’m a firm believer that you can’t be your best if you’re not doing it every week. It also gives the 1 team a chance to race for a drivers and owners championship. 👊🏼 https://t.co/xzMN4YguwK
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) October 29, 2025
Childers’ experience and strategic mindset are expected to help Kvapil compete at a higher level from day one. “Having Rodney in, I think there’s gonna be a lot of good things coming next year,” Earnhardt Jr. added. “Winning races is the big one.”
Earnhardt Jr. also hinted that more details will be released soon.
“Once we get beyond Phoenix, we’ll have more information about what those remaining races look like. Can’t let all the secrets out right away.”
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