Dale Earnhardt Jr. has officially announced that Carson Kvapil will step into a full-time role in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, an update that energizes both fans and the broader racing world. This confirmation solidifies Carson Kvapil’s NASCAR future and marks a major turning point for JR Motorsports, coming just ahead of the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Kvapil’s Next Big Step
In a move that surprised many in the NASCAR community, Dale Earnhardt Jr. used JR Motorsports’ social platform to confirm Kvapil’s full-time campaign beginning in 2026. Initially, plans had Kvapil splitting duties in the No. 1 car with Connor Zilisch for next season, but recent developments shifted that plan decisively. The team’s announcement has created buzz across the garage and online.
A key support figure, Rodney Childers, quickly chimed in with praise, sharing his enthusiasm for Kvapil’s opportunity to race regularly and the impact it could have on JR Motorsports’ championship ambitions.
“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. 👊🏼”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Background: Kvapil’s Rise and Changing Team Dynamics
Kvapil’s permanent promotion comes on the heels of a standout rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. The 22-year-old driver not only scored seven top-five finishes and fourteen top-ten results in his debut year but also advanced to the Championship 4, demonstrating his readiness for a larger stage. As the series heads towards the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway, Kvapil remains a legitimate contender for the 2025 title.
This new full-time role dispels earlier uncertainty surrounding the shared schedule with Connor Zilisch for the No. 1 Chevrolet. Zilisch, another promising young driver, is set to make the leap to the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026. Initially, it was expected Zilisch would take on the bulk of the schedule for JR Motorsports next season, but Kvapil’s strong postseason showing appears to have tipped the balance in his favor.
Rodney Childers, who will assume the position of crew chief for JR Motorsports’ No. 1 car in 2026, now prepares to work with both Kvapil and Zilisch as their careers reach pivotal junctures. Both drivers have shown tremendous potential—Kvapil at the Xfinity level and Zilisch as he eyes his Cup Series debut. The exact details on whether Kvapil will remain with the same car or adjust within the team lineup remain undisclosed, adding an element of anticipation.
Rodney Childers Embraces a New Chapter with JR Motorsports
September brought further insight into Childers’ career decisions when he reflected publicly on his transition to JR Motorsports. With a respected background alongside Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing—where the pair clinched the 2014 Cup Series championship—Childers’ expertise is widely recognized. Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure after the 2024 season led Childers to a short stint at Spire Motorsports, where he partnered with Justin Haley for nine races, before reconnecting with Harvick in the CARS Tour and leading Landen Lewis to four victories while contending for a title.
Despite success in various series, Childers expressed a continued desire to return to NASCAR’s top echelons. Describing a pivotal conversation he had with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Childers recounted how a combination of timing and opportunity made the move to JR Motorsports feel meant to be.
“For me, the last couple of months, I just started to look at things differently,” Childers told Motorsport.com. “I always felt like I needed to prove something and needed to win more Cup championships or the Daytona 500 but then I realized there is more to life than that.”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Childers also spoke about the moment Earnhardt Jr. reached out, signaling a potential new path within JR Motorsports.
“He asked me, ‘Do you really not have anything lined up yet?’ and I told him where I was at, and then he told me about Connor and Carson, and it was just a dream scenario.”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
What Lies Ahead for Kvapil, Childers, and JR Motorsports
With this announcement, JR Motorsports positions itself with two talented young drivers, Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch, under the seasoned guidance of Rodney Childers. Kvapil’s confirmation as a full-time driver brings clarity to the team’s direction while rewarding his rapid ascent and playoff performances. Zilisch will continue to play a role in the coming season, making select starts as he prepares for Cup Series entry in 2026, further enhancing the program’s competitive edge.
While the specifics of Kvapil’s car assignment and the breakdown of driving duties still await official word, the high-energy environment at JR Motorsports suggests more news may soon follow. The combination of experienced leadership, fresh talent, and renewed ambition signals a compelling future for both the team and Carson Kvapil’s NASCAR journey, as all eyes turn to how this lineup can shape the next phase of the sport.
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
