Carson Kvapil has announced a packed 2026 racing schedule that features full-time competition and entry into new events, securing opportunities to compete for the championship. The Carson Kvapil 2026 racing schedule will see him race for both JR Motorsports and DGM Racing across high-profile tracks, with a strong focus on making an impact in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Xfinity Series.
Busy Race Calendar with DGM Racing and JR Motorsports
Kvapil, who reached the Championship 4 as an Xfinity Series rookie last season, is taking on fresh challenges in 2026 by joining DGM Racing for four O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events. He will pilot the No. 91 Chevrolet, beginning his run at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas at the end of February. Additional scheduled appearances include Watkins Glen International, Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and Sonoma Raceway, broadening his footprint across prominent NASCAR circuits.
According to DGM Racing,
“Adding Carson to the lineup 🧑🧑🧒🧒 @JRMotorsports Driver, @CarsonKvapil will pilot the No. 91 at four @NASCAROReillyAP races filling out the remainder of his full time schedule. pic.twitter.com/IM80KzpGgh”
— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL)
Full-Time Commitment Announced After Team Decisions
Kvapil’s plans for 2026 originally included a scaled-back schedule, as JR Motorsports indicated he would share the No. 1 entry with Connor Zilisch under the guidance of crew chief Rodney Childers. However, this changed when team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a renewed push for Kvapil to run a full Xfinity Series schedule and pursue the championship, even though he will split his time across several car numbers.
The current arrangement expects Kvapil to take the No. 1 Chevrolet into 24 races, with an additional five starts in the No. 9 entry, sharing duties with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. Notable events on the No. 1 schedule include races at Darlington in the spring, Talladega during the spring session, and a fall event at Phoenix, each with Champion Irrigation Products as the main sponsor.
Early Highlights and Team Performance at Daytona
Kvapil began his new race schedule at the Daytona event behind the wheel of the No. 1 Chevrolet, one of four JR Motorsports entries that finished within the top ten. He achieved a seventh-place overall finish after earning top-three placements in both stages of the race. As Kvapil himself noted,
“P7 finish in the @NASCAROReillyAP race at Daytona in the #1 @JRMotorsports @BassProShops @TeamChevy. Top 3 finishes in both stages made for a great points day overall. Excited for what this year has to come! Huge thank you to Johnny Morris, @BassProShops and @TeamChevy! pic.twitter.com/RGckANYby0”
— Carson Kvapil (@Carson_Kvapil)
The Daytona race also saw Justin Allgaier finish second behind Austin Hill representing Richard Childress Racing, while Sammy Smith secured fifth place. Rajah Caruth, who is also balancing time between several teams, impressively finished tenth in his first start with JR Motorsports.
Outlook for the 2026 Season
Kvapil’s wide-ranging 2026 commitments, spanning different teams and race entries, reflect his status as one of NASCAR’s busiest and most ambitious drivers this season. With ongoing partnerships alongside notable figures like Johnny Morris, crew chief Rodney Childers, and fellow competitors such as Connor Zilisch, Ross Chastain, and Shane van Gisbergen, Kvapil is poised for a standout year. His schedule places him in contention for crucial wins, top finishes, and ultimately a championship push, bringing excitement to fans and further raising his profile on the NASCAR circuit.
Kvapil’s full-time engagement in both the Xfinity Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series underlines his determination to make significant strides in professional racing, positioning him as a central figure to watch throughout the season.
Adding Carson to the lineup 🧑🧑🧒🧒 @JRMotorsports Driver, @CarsonKvapil will pilot the No. 91 at four @NASCAROReillyAP races filling out the remainder of his full time schedule. pic.twitter.com/IM80KzpGgh
— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) February 18, 2026
P7 finish in the @NASCAROReillyAP race at Daytona in the #1 @JRMotorsports @BassProShops @TeamChevy. Top 3 finishes in both stages made for a great points day overall. Excited for what this year has to come! Huge thank you to Johnny Morris, @BassProShops and @TeamChevy! pic.twitter.com/RGckANYby0
— Carson Kvapil (@Carson_Kvapil) February 17, 2026
