JR Motorsports and Arby’s have unveiled a significant alliance for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with Arby’s stepping up as the primary sponsor for eight races throughout the upcoming season. This newly announced JR Motorsports Arby’s NASCAR partnership will see Arby’s branding featured prominently on the cars of select JRM drivers, cementing the restaurant chain’s growing involvement in motorsports.
“If you think MPH stands for Meats per Hour, you’re gonna LOVE this! pic.twitter.com/UnkVIqNWMf”— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports)
Details of the Sponsorship and Driver Involvement
The partnership was introduced via a social media video featuring full-time JR Motorsports drivers Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, Justin Allgaier, and team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. The announcement highlighted that Arby’s will serve as the primary sponsor for select races, with additional appearances and support roles involving these drivers throughout the 2026 season, expanding both driver and associate sponsorships.
For Carson Kvapil, Arby’s will back the race cars at:
1. Echopark Speedway – February 21
2. Rockingham Speedway – April 4
3. Texas Motor Speedway – May 2
4. Chicagoland Speedway – July 4
Sammy Smith’s schedule with Arby’s as primary sponsor includes:
1. Talladega – TBA (April 25 or October 24)
2. San Diego Street Circuit – June 20
3. Charlotte ROVAL – October 10
Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier will see Arby’s in a season-long associate sponsor role, with a primary sponsor presence at:
1. Darlington Raceway – TBA (March 21 or September 5)
Broader Reach into NASCAR Media and History
Beyond on-track activity, the deal will reach into Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dirty Mo Media, allowing Arby’s even greater exposure through various NASCAR-connected content. This marks a substantial step for Arby’s within the sport, considering that just two seasons ago, the brand had no active presence in the series.
Looking back, Arby’s had not featured as a NASCAR race car sponsor since participating in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway in September 2008. Even prior, its only primary sponsorship in the NASCAR Cup Series was with Roush-Fenway Racing’s Matt Kenseth during the 2007 spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 2024 season saw Arby’s reenter NASCAR supporting Josh Bilicki and Cody Ware, later expanding to an 11-race deal with Rick Ware Racing in 2025. Additionally, Arby’s played a noticeable part in the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, being a significant sponsor for the circuit inside Grant Park, Chicago.
Implications and What Comes Next
This multi-year partnership positions Arby’s for continued and high-visibility participation in NASCAR, strengthening ties with both drivers and fans. As Arby’s extends its reach as a key supporter of racing events and related media, its ongoing collaboration with JR Motorsports will likely influence brand strategy and fan engagement for future seasons. With the sport’s prominent figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Justin Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, and Sammy Smith directly involved, the stage is set for a high-profile showing of both JR Motorsports and Arby’s in the upcoming NASCAR landscape.
If you think MPH stands for Meats per Hour, you're gonna LOVE this! pic.twitter.com/UnkVIqNWMf
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) December 16, 2025
