Dale Earnhardt Jr. has set his sights on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, sharing his enthusiasm for a competitive return following a season of hard work and preparation. In an interview with SiriusXM, Earnhardt Jr. highlighted how the off-season would be crucial for his team as they strive to elevate their performance for the next racing year, ensuring the Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2026 season is at the forefront of motorsport discussions.
JR Motorsports Strives to Regain Supremacy
This past season, JR Motorsports showcased depth in the Xfinity Series, fielding four full-time entries. Connor Zilisch took the wheel of the #88 Chevy, newly crowned 2024 champion Justin Allgaier drove the #7, Sammy Smith handled the #8, and Carson Kvapil commanded the #1. Three of these drivers—Zilisch, Allgaier, and Kvapil—secured spots in the highly anticipated Championship 4 contest at Phoenix.
Even with multiple cars in contention, a strong showing by Richard Childress Racing shifted the balance of power. Jesse Love, piloting the #2 Chevy, clinched his initial title in only his second season, achieving ten victories and prevailing over Rookie of the Year Connor Zilisch. Zilisch crossed the line in third place during the 200-lap finale, with Allgaier finishing fifth and Kvapil thirteenth. Reflecting on their efforts, Earnhardt Jr. addressed the media:
“I’m ready for next year to get started. We’ve got a lot of things going that we’re really excited about, just ready to get back to the racetrack and redeem ourselves. You know, anytime you don’t get the result you need, you can’t wait to go back and try again. So, I know we’ll have an off-season of hard work and dedication to try to position ourselves where we come back here and get it done next year.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Co-Owner
Driver Lineup Announced for 2026 Campaign
Looking ahead, JR Motorsports will return to the Xfinity Series in 2026 with Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith as full-time drivers. The team will also benefit from the part-time participation of Cup Series talents Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain in the #9 Chevy, adding experience and competitive firepower to their roster.
Major Staff Change as Jim Pohlman Moves On
Change is also underway behind the pit wall. Justin Allgaier’s crew chief, Jim Pohlman, who played a pivotal role in JR Motorsports’ recent successes, is set to depart for Richard Childress Racing to pursue a position in the Cup Series. Pohlman, who previously worked with RCR during the 2022 season, will fill the crew chief position vacated by Randall Burnett on the #8 Chevy Camaro ZL1, bringing years of Xfinity Series achievements and a 2024 title to his new team.
Earnhardt Jr. opened up about the difficulty of replacing such a key figure on his Dale Jr. Download podcast:
“It is hard to replace a guy like Jim. I told Jim I wanted him to stay, but I knew that he had this opportunity and that it was great for him to go and hear it out, right?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Co-Owner
“Um, he’s worked at RCR before, so he knows that environment. He would know himself whether that’s a comfortable environment for him. He’s been there. And, uh, you know, he made the choice to go, and I love it. I think, you know, it’s tough to replace him,” he added.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Co-Owner
Context from Recent NASCAR Cup Season
The shift in crew chief comes with additional context from the wider NASCAR scene. Kyle Busch, driving the #8 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing, experienced a challenging period with a winless streak extending into the 2024 and 2025 seasons, also missing the playoffs both years. This change in leadership is expected to play a role in revitalizing their Cup Series effort, with Pohlman now occupying a central position in the team’s engineering and strategy development.
What the 2026 Season Holds for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports
As the Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2026 season approaches, all eyes remain on the dynamic lineup and strategic moves within JR Motorsports. With new drivers joining established names and significant backroom alterations, the organization is poised to challenge for championships once again. The departure of Jim Pohlman, while a setback, signals a moment of transition and renewal as the team prepares to reclaim prominence in the Xfinity Series and aims to make waves in the NASCAR landscape. The coming season promises determined efforts from Dale Earnhardt Jr., his drivers like Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, and Justin Allgaier, and renewed rivalries with powerhouse squads such as Richard Childress Racing.
⏩ "Ready to get back to the racetrack and redeem ourselves."
After coming up short of the title this season, @DaleJr is eager to get back rolling with @JRMotorsports in 2026 to go after another championship. pic.twitter.com/q0yss1KAOf
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 6, 2025
