Carson Kvapil, who reached the Championship 4 in last season’s Xfinity Series as a rookie, is aiming to continue his championship chase by competing full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026. To complete his schedule, Kvapil has aligned with DGM Racing, where he will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet in four key races.
He is set to start his season at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in February, followed by appearances at Watkins Glen International, Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and Sonoma Raceway. This expanded schedule adds valuable mileage as Kvapil pursues the 2026 championship.
Adding Carson to the lineup 🧑🧑🧒🧒 @JRMotorsports Driver, @CarsonKvapil will pilot the No. 91 at four @NASCAROReillyAP races filling out the remainder of his full time schedule. pic.twitter.com/IM80KzpGgh
— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) February 18, 2026
JR Motorsports Adjusts Kvapil’s Schedule for Full-Time Pursuit
Originally, JR Motorsports planned for Kvapil to scale back to a part-time schedule by sharing the No. 1 Chevrolet with Connor Zilisch, under crew chief Rodney Childers. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently clarified that Kvapil would compete full-time in 2026, dividing his races across multiple car entries to maximize championship opportunities.
Kvapil is expected to make 24 starts driving the No. 1 car and an additional five starts in the No. 9 vehicle, sharing that ride with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. The No. 1 car’s schedule includes notable events such as the spring races at Darlington and Talladega, as well as the fall race at Phoenix, with Champion Irrigation Products backing the Chevrolet as primary sponsor.
Strong Opening at Daytona Signals Positive Momentum
Kvapil kicked off his season at Daytona behind the wheel of the No. 1 Chevrolet, finishing an impressive seventh overall. He produced top-three finishes in both race stages, marking a solid points haul on the opening weekend.
P7 finish in the @NASCAROReillyAP race at Daytona in the #1 @JRMotorsports @BassProShops @TeamChevy. Top 3 finishes in both stages made for a great points day overall. Excited for what this year has to come! Huge thank you to Johnny Morris, @BassProShops and @TeamChevy! pic.twitter.com/RGckANYby0
— Carson Kvapil (@Carson_Kvapil) February 17, 2026
Teammates Justin Allgaier and Sammy Smith also posted strong results, with Allgaier finishing second and Smith finishing fifth. Rajah Caruth, who shares his time between multiple teams in the series, made a solid debut for JR Motorsports by finishing tenth.
Anticipated Impact of Kvapil’s 2026 Season
By carefully dividing his schedule between DGM Racing and JR Motorsports, Carson Kvapil is strategically positioning himself for a deep run in the 2026 Championship chase. His early season success and partnerships with experienced teammates like Justin Allgaier and crew chief Rodney Childers establish a strong foundation for his campaign.
The combination of varied race venues and consistent performances could allow Kvapil to maintain momentum as the season progresses, making him a key driver to watch in this fiercely competitive NASCAR series. His efforts also underline JR Motorsports’ commitment to nurturing emerging talent while pursuing top results across multiple entries.
Adding Carson to the lineup 🧑🧑🧒🧒 @JRMotorsports Driver, @CarsonKvapil will pilot the No. 91 at four @NASCAROReillyAP races filling out the remainder of his full time schedule. pic.twitter.com/IM80KzpGgh
— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) February 18, 2026
P7 finish in the @NASCAROReillyAP race at Daytona in the #1 @JRMotorsports @BassProShops @TeamChevy. Top 3 finishes in both stages made for a great points day overall. Excited for what this year has to come! Huge thank you to Johnny Morris, @BassProShops and @TeamChevy! pic.twitter.com/RGckANYby0
— Carson Kvapil (@Carson_Kvapil) February 17, 2026
