JR Motorsports secured the Premier Organization of the Year Award at the 2025 Grand National Bash, a prestigious honor recognizing standout achievement among NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series teams. The JR Motorsports industry award follows a season filled with significant milestones and high-profile victories, bringing renewed attention to the team’s excellence and leadership within the sport.
A Night of Recognition at the Grand National Bash
The Grand National Bash, referred to by some as the Grand Bash, serves as a signature annual celebration for professionals and teams beyond just the NASCAR Cup Series. Conceived by Tommy Joe Martins, who balances competition in the No. 44 Alpha Prime Racing Chevy Camaro with his organizational efforts, the event was inaugurated in November 2025 to honor a wider range of stock car racing talent and organizations.
Kelley Earnhardt, CEO of JR Motorsports, expressed her appreciation for the award on social media after sharing an image from the ceremony. She stated,
“Honored. Thank you @GrandBash and our peers! Appreciate the efforts on this @TommyJoeMartins.”
The Grand National Bash distinguishes itself as the single award ceremony dedicated to celebrating achievements across all stock car racing divisions, ensuring that teams and individuals at every competitive level receive their due recognition.
2025: A Breakthrough Season for JR Motorsports
The 2025 racing season proved to be a breakthrough for JR Motorsports, highlighted by the team’s 100th series victory, achieved by rising star and Xfinity Series rookie Connor Zilisch. Not only did Zilisch secure this important milestone, but his performance throughout the season earned him the coveted Rookie of the Year award and a chance to compete for the championship in Phoenix, where he ultimately finished second.
Despite Zilisch’s remarkable success, he narrowly missed clinching the top championship, as fellow competitor Jesse Love of Richard Childress Racing claimed the title. Sharing his perspective on the season’s end, Zilisch remarked,
“My team, the whole JR Motorsports group, we gave our all, and I don’t have any reason to be upset about what happened,” Zilisch said in a statement. “Yeah, it stings. It sucks. But yeah, we did everything we could and we tried our best. If I walked out of that place knowing that I could have done something differently, then I probably would have been a little more upset. But I gave it my all.”
In light of Zilisch advancing to Trackhouse Racing for the next season, JR Motorsports has selected Rajah Caruth to lead the No. 88 Chevy for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with plans for Caruth to split driving responsibilities with additional candidates.
JR Motorsports Dominates Lionel Racing’s Top Die-Cast List
JR Motorsports’ influence was also felt off the track, as Lionel Racing—recognized as The Official Die-Cast of NASCAR—announced that the Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, piloted by Justin Allgaier, was the best-selling die-cast model of 2025. Allgaier is a former Xfinity Series champion, and his partnership with Grammy-winning musician Chris Stapleton for the Traveller Whiskey brand brought extra attention to the No. 7 car, which also marked JR Motorsports’ first Cup Series start at the Daytona 500, earning a ninth-place finish.
“This historic die-cast marks the first NASCAR Cup Series entry for JR Motorsports and represents Justin Allgaier’s first-ever appearance at the top of Lionel Racing’s annual best-seller list,” as per Jayski.com. “The Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet has become a fan favorite, symbolizing a milestone moment for both the driver and the team.”
JR Motorsports continued its streak on the sales chart, as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Budweiser Speedway Classic Late Model Chevrolet occupied the second spot, followed by another raced variation of Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet in third, highlighting the sustained enthusiasm from collectors and fans alike.
Looking Forward: New Talents and Continued Momentum
With the momentum from both competitive and commercial achievements, JR Motorsports stands at an important point as it welcomes new talent and prepares for upcoming seasons. The team’s recognition at the Grand National Bash and leadership on Lionel Racing’s charts reinforce its strong culture and fan support. As key figures like Connor Zilisch transition to other teams and Rajah Caruth steps into a prominent role, the focus will be on maintaining excellence and building on their remarkable trajectory. The JR Motorsports industry award not only celebrates their achievements but also signals their continued influence in the evolving landscape of stock car racing.
Honored. Thank you @GrandBash and our peers! Appreciate the efforts on this @TommyJoeMartins https://t.co/cWfWpCH2rk pic.twitter.com/7ucpc3gjxF
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) December 15, 2025
