JR Motorsports has revealed a significant new sponsorship, as the team brings Arby’s on board for a multi-year deal that will make the restaurant chain a major presence in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starting in 2026. The Justin Allgaier Arby’s partnership will see Arby’s as a primary sponsor across multiple races and competitors, extending to media engagement and substantial branding throughout the season.
Arby’s Expands Sponsorship in the Xfinity Series
According to the announcement, Arby’s has signed on as primary partner for eight Xfinity Series races in 2026, splitting appearances across drivers Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Justin Allgaier. In addition to serving as the leading sponsor in key races, Arby’s will maintain a season-long associate partnership on Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet, and will engage directly with fans through Dirty Mo Media, highlighting the brand’s expanded investment in NASCAR marketing platforms.
The partnership was introduced in a promotional video shared by JR Motorsports, where team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. is seen arriving at the JRM facility with a package from Arby’s. The package makes its way through the team: from Earnhardt Jr. to Carson Kvapil, who hands it to new crew chief Rodney Childers and Sammy Smith, and ultimately to an Arby’s-themed area in the shop where Justin Allgaier is featured. The narrative ends with the package returning to Earnhardt Jr., underscoring a collaborative team spirit.
The team shared the news on its X social media platform, teasing fans with:
“If you think MPH stands for Meats per Hour, you’re gonna LOVE this!”
Arby’s involvement reflects its ambition to engage more deeply with the NASCAR fan base. Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer for Arby’s, offered insight into the company’s excitement:
“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s in the team statement. “ Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways – both on and off the track.”
Details of the Sponsorship Across Teams and Venues
Carson Kvapil will feature Arby’s branding starting at Atlanta on February 21, with subsequent races at Rockingham Speedway on April 4, Texas Motor Speedway on May 2, and Chicagoland Speedway on July 4. For Sammy Smith, Arby’s will appear on his car at Talladega on June 20, at the San Diego Naval Base Coronado event, and at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on October 10. Justin Allgaier, meanwhile, will showcase Arby’s on his No. 7 Chevrolet for select races, serving as both a familiar and new face for the partnership.
Rodney Childers will assume the role of crew chief for the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet, shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. Sammy Smith, supported by a newly signed multi-year agreement, will keep his seat in the No. 8 car, while Allgaier remains the centerpiece for the No. 7 program. The No. 88 development entry will include Rajah Caruth for part of the 2026 season, highlighting continued focus on up-and-coming talent within the organization.
This announcement follows JR Motorsports’ broader sponsorship momentum. WILDE Protein Snacks has joined as a primary partner for three races with Kvapil, accompanied by an associate partnership for 23 races with Rajah Caruth’s No. 88 Chevrolet. Champion Irrigation Products is set for three events with Kvapil, and Kampgrounds of America will sponsor a race with Connor Zilisch and provide associate backing across multiple JRM cars.
JR Motorsports Looks to Build on Recent Successes
Dale Earnhardt Jr. enters this new partnership following a standout 2025 season for JR Motorsports, the organization having set records and placing several cars in the Xfinity Series Championship 4. Rookie Connor Zilisch contributed ten wins, three of them during the playoffs, capping off the season with a close title battle against Jesse Love. At the Grand National Bash, the team was named Premier Organization of the Year, and Kelley Earnhardt Miller received special recognition, showing the strength and depth JRM has developed on and off the track.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. underscored the importance of this new relationship with Arby’s:
“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”
As JR Motorsports prepares for the 2026 season, which includes a planned one-off appearance at the Daytona 500 for Justin Allgaier, the partnership with Arby’s represents both a commercial and competitive milestone. This multi-faceted sponsorship not only ensures a robust marketing effort for Arby’s but also enables JR Motorsports to enhance their racing operations, continue to recruit and develop elite talent, and engage NASCAR fans nationwide. The expanded presence of brands like Arby’s and WILDE reflects the growing appeal of JR Motorsports’ platform and the broader momentum within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
If you think MPH stands for Meats per Hour, you're gonna LOVE this! pic.twitter.com/UnkVIqNWMf
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) December 16, 2025
