Kaulig Racing’s planned expansion into the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series lineup has sparked conversation in NASCAR circles, especially after Kelley Earnhardt Miller voiced her support for Connor Hall as a top contender. The development comes following Kaulig Racing’s recent announcement of a five-truck program in collaboration with Ram, setting the stage for new opportunities in the series.
Three weeks after Kaulig Racing confirmed its ambitious plans for a full-time five-truck team debuting with Ram in 2026, speculation surrounding the driver roster has intensified. Fans have been vocal online, offering up their ideal choices for seats in the new trucks. When asked to name her own dream candidate for the Kaulig Racing 2026 NASCAR Truck lineup, JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller replied emphatically, “Connor Hall!”
Connor Hall’s Rising Career and Support from Kelley Earnhardt Miller
Connor Hall has emerged as a promising young talent within the motorsports world. He currently competes full-time in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports. Hall’s achievements include back-to-back national championships in the NASCAR AAA Series for 2023 and 2024, and valuable experiences in the NASCAR Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series. His lone start in the Truck Series to date came in 2024, driving the No. 91 entry for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing at Richmond.
For Kaulig Racing, which has yet to publicly reveal its full roster for the 2026 Truck Series season, there are five seats needing capable, full-time drivers. Suggestions from fans have included both well-known veterans like Corey LaJoie and rising prospects, but Kelley Earnhardt Miller has drawn attention by throwing her support behind Hall. As the leader of JR Motorsports, she has a history of guiding late model drivers up to the national series, and the partnership between Kaulig and Ram could present an ideal pathway for Hall to continue his ascent. The trajectory of his career, from grassroots competition to national recognition, is one that mirrors several previous success stories fostered by Earnhardt Miller.
Kaulig Racing’s 2026 debut also marks Ram’s long-anticipated return to NASCAR, ending a hiatus since Dodge’s departure from the sport after 2012. The team has clarified that its Truck program is independent of Kaulig’s Chevrolet operations in the Cup and Xfinity Series. Nonetheless, industry watchers are speculating about the alliance’s implications, particularly regarding whether this could be a stepping stone for Stellantis, Ram’s parent company, to eventually return to NASCAR’s top ranks.
JR Motorsports Secures Sammy Smith for 2026 Season
In addition to sharing her thoughts on Kaulig Racing’s future, Kelley Earnhardt Miller confirmed another major move for her own organization. On September 2, she announced that driver Sammy Smith will return to the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports in 2026. Smith will have continued support from sponsors Pilot, TMC Transportation, and Allstate Peterbilt Group, solidifying a successful partnership that has grown since Smith joined the team.
“We are thrilled to have Sammy, Pilot, TMC and Allstate Peterbilt Group back for 2026. It’s been a pleasure getting to know and work with Sammy these past two seasons and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future will hold next year,”
Kelley said in the announcement. —Kelley Earnhardt Miller, CEO, JR Motorsports
With Smith confirmed for another term, JR Motorsports turns its attention to filling the remaining seats for the 2026 season. Carson Kvapil, who rose from late models to compete in his rookie Xfinity Series campaign in the No. 1 Chevrolet, is expected by many to be retained. Justin Allgaier, the anchor for the No. 7 team since 2016 and the 2024 Xfinity Series champion, remains a core part of the organization. However, the No. 88 entry is now the main unanswered question, as Connor Zilisch is set to move to full-time Cup Series competition with Trackhouse Racing in 2026.
Building Momentum for the Next Generation
JR Motorsports is experiencing one of its best years to date, racking up 16 victories this season – surpassing its previous high of 15 wins in 2022 – and placing all four of its teams into the playoffs. Justin Allgaier and Connor Zilisch have been consistently strong near the top of the standings, while Carson Kvapil and Sammy Smith continue to grow and develop. Though Zilisch’s transition to the Cup Series looms, he has made clear his intention to stay involved with JRM in some capacity.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller’s approach to elevating late model talent while building and sustaining lasting partnerships has delivered unprecedented results for JR Motorsports. Her endorsement of Connor Hall for the Kaulig Racing Truck program and the extension with Sammy Smith exemplify her influence on the sport’s evolving driver pipeline.
As Kaulig Racing and JR Motorsports finalize their 2026 lineups, moves like these will shape both organizations and could play a pivotal role in NASCAR’s next era. Kelley Earnhardt Miller’s leadership ensures that talented newcomers, like Connor Hall, have opportunities to compete on racing’s biggest stages while helping established partners like Ram and Pilot invest in the future of the sport.
