JR Motorsports has officially announced that Rajah Caruth will take on a major role in the team’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (OAP) Series campaign, piloting the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro across 23 events. The remaining 10 races in the 33-race season will feature star talent from Hendrick Motorsports, including Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson. This unique partnership aims to maximize competitiveness and give Caruth, one of the season’s top Rookie-of-the-Year contenders, significant exposure in the Rajah Caruth 2026 NASCAR season.
Caruth’s Schedule Highlights and Notable Race Assignments
Rajah Caruth will kick off his 2026 campaign with the first three scheduled events, beginning at the season opener on February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. He follows up with starts at EchoPark Speedway (February 21) and Circuit of the Americas (February 28), then returns for a pair of important spring races at Martinsville Speedway (March 28) and Rockingham Speedway (April 4). Over the months ahead, Caruth will also compete at notable tracks like Talladega Superspeedway, Watkins Glen International, Dover Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Naval Base Coronado, and Sonoma Raceway.
After a packed summer, Caruth resumes control of the No. 88 for the rest of the season from Iowa Speedway onwards, starting August 8. This extended stint is crucial, as it spans the critical nine-race Chase for the OAP Series championship, which kicks off at Darlington Raceway on September 5. His opportunity to contend throughout the season demonstrates the team’s confidence in his growth and ability.
Hendrick Motorsports: Sharing the Spotlight
For the 10 events Caruth will not run, Hendrick Motorsports is sending some of their brightest stars to take over the No. 88. William Byron, notable as the 2017 OAP Series champion and reigning two-time Daytona 500 winner from Charlotte, makes his first 2026 OAP start at Phoenix Raceway (March 7) and will also compete at Kansas Speedway and Pocono Raceway. Kyle Larson, the reigning two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion from Elk Grove, California, will handle duties at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Texas Motor Speedway.
Alex Bowman, three-time Daytona 500 pole winner from Tucson, will represent at Darlington Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway. Capping off Hendrick’s contributions, Chase Elliott—a dual series champion from Dawsonville, Georgia—will run at Chicagoland Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This rotation not only fosters an all-star lineup each week but also strengthens the bond between JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports.
Caruth’s Alternative Assignments and Career Momentum
During races where the Hendrick drivers assume control of the No. 88, Caruth will keep active, competing in the No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro for Jordan Anderson Racing. This allows the young driver to gain even more seat time and experience in the OAP Series, further sharpening his skills as he transitions from Craftsman Truck Series success to chasing victories in the higher division.
Caruth is riding momentum from his recent achievements in the Craftsman Truck Series, having spent the previous two seasons with Spire Motorsports under HendrickCars.com sponsorship. He broke new ground in 2024 with victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway, joining the exclusive ranks of Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as only the third African-American winner at NASCAR’s top three levels. He made the playoffs in both seasons, finishing seventh and sixth, a testament to his resilience and growing reputation as a top-tier NASCAR competitor.
Aiming for Full-Time OAP Series Success
In addition to his Truck Series feats, Caruth has accumulated 22 OAP Series starts across the 2022, 2023, and 2025 seasons, maintaining an average finish of 23.1. The 2026 campaign, marking his debut as a full-time championship contender, represents his best opportunity yet to capture a series win and qualify for the season-ending title chase.
Team Leadership and Partnership Perspectives
JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller shared her enthusiasm for the cross-team initiative, stating,
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome back all four of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers into the JRM family to join Rajah (Caruth) behind the wheel of our No. 88 Chevrolet,”
—Kelley Earnhardt Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports. She emphasized the rich collaboration between both organizations, which she credits for assembling a lineup capable of contending for the owner’s championship.
“Chase, William, Alex, and Kyle all have such a unique history with us, and it’s just a testament to the relationship that we have built with Mr. Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports, and HendrickCars.com that we can bring them all together with Rajah to race for an owner’s championship in 2026,”
—Kelley Earnhardt Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports.
Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, expressed similar excitement about the joint venture’s potential.
“We’re looking forward to our program with JR Motorsports, both on and off the track,”
—Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. He praised the union for giving HendrickCars.com a strong platform and predicted a competitive season ahead.
“Having our four Cup Series drivers join Rajah in the No. 88 provides HendrickCars.com a powerful platform with a championship organization. This team is capable of competing for race wins throughout the 2026 season, and we’re excited about what’s ahead,”
—Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group.
Noteworthy Achievements and Expectations for 2026
Last season, the shared roster of Bowman, Byron, Elliott, and Larson combined for 10 top-10 finishes and celebrated victories for Larson at Bristol and Byron at Charlotte while operating under the Hendrick banner in the OAP Series. They now look to add more wins for JR Motorsports in a car that saw Connor Zilisch reach Victory Lane 10 times in 2025, underscoring the competitive potential of the No. 88 entry.
Season Kickoff and Broadcast Information
The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will launch with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN, and SiriusXM. With a blend of rising talent and proven champions set to share duties, the No. 88 team is poised to be a headline story all year, keeping Rajah Caruth and his squad firmly in the championship conversation.
