Dale Earnhardt Jr. is taking bold steps to shape the future of JR Motorsports, adding exciting next-generation drivers for the team’s 2026 lineup in a clear signal of his intent to foster new racing talent. With this move, the NASCAR icon aims to strengthen his organization’s legacy and keep them competitive in the years ahead by focusing on the development of young racers.
Introducing the New Faces of JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports, the racing powerhouse established by Dale Earnhardt Jr., has announced two major additions to its Late Model roster for 2026. Caden Kvapil will become the full-time driver for the No. 88 Chevrolet Late Model, while Wyatt Miller is preparing to embark on a diverse racing schedule as he takes the next leap towards top-level stock car competition. Both drivers bring fresh energy and promise to the team’s ongoing mission to nurture future stars of the sport.
Kvapil, who comes with impressive credentials, is set to compete not only in regular championship events but will also aim for prominent Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) races like the Virginia Triple Crown Series—culminating at Martinsville Speedway’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300. His campaign will benefit from robust sponsorship, thanks to partners such as Sun Drop, Roto-Rooter, LKN Mechanical, and Corvette Parts, further anchoring the JR Motorsports program.
A Historic Partnership With Family Legacy
Adding a compelling family dimension to the story, Kvapil’s crew chief will be his father, Travis Kvapil, who captured the 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title. Their established relationship saw them enjoy success in Pro Late Model competition, and both are eager to continue building on that foundation now at JR Motorsports.
“He’s going to be crew chief for me all this year,”
— Kvapil, Driver
“All last year, when I ran the second JRM Chevrolet, he was my crew chief, and I’ve never really had any other crew chief other than him, so it’s going to be pretty normal.”
— Kvapil, Driver
Caden Kvapil arrives with significant momentum, having ended the 2025 season with notable victories at the Florence 400 in South Carolina and a remarkable last-lap triumph at the CARS Tour finale in North Wilkesboro Speedway. These achievements have positioned him as a confident and capable competitor for the future. Taking over a car that carries a rich heritage—including previous successes by Josh Berry and Kvapil’s own brother Carson, who reached the Championship 4 in his inaugural full-time season—only adds weight to his responsibilities and expectations.
“It’s really exciting for me to get behind the wheel in which he had so much success, and hopefully I can carry the same momentum,”
— Kvapil, Driver
Wyatt Miller: A Versatile Young Talent on the Rise
Wyatt Miller, son of Kelley Earnhardt Miller and former racer L.W. Miller, is poised to make his mark within JR Motorsports in 2026. At just 14 years old, Miller brings a wide-ranging racing agenda that stretches across at least five disciplines—including running a Late Model schedule alongside off-road trucks, sprint cars, micro-sprints, and Outlaw karts. This multifaceted approach demonstrates both his budding potential and JRM’s willingness to develop adaptable drivers with diverse track experience.
Miller’s program will be directed by experienced crew chief Bryan Shaffer, noted for guiding Dick Trickle to national victories and for building CARS Tour champions. This collaboration ensures a solid mentoring environment, with both Shaffer and Caden Kvapil playing active roles in Miller’s growth as a racer.
“They’re all in that mentor category, and they’re all tied for first,”
— Miller, Driver
“I learned a lot from Caden, and Bryan pretty much tells me the basics and then Caden goes into it deeper.”
— Miller, Driver
Facing New Tracks and Rising to the Challenge
For both Caden Kvapil and Wyatt Miller, the 2026 season brings more than merely returning to familiar circuits. Kvapil, in particular, is slated to compete at tracks he has yet to experience, such as Nashville Superspeedway, Newport Speedway in Tennessee, and Langley Motor Speedway in Virginia. Drawing on lessons from his brother Carson and relying on his cumulative racecraft, Kvapil knows that the competition in Late Model Stock Cars is unforgiving—where even a minor error can separate victory from defeat.
The Path Forward for JR Motorsports and Its New Generation
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s decision to invest in drivers like Kvapil and Miller reaffirms JR Motorsports’ commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of talented racers. This focus on homegrown development stands as a testament to the legacy of the Earnhardt name, while strengthening the team’s ability to compete at the highest levels in the coming years. As the 2026 season approaches, fans and sponsors alike will be watching closely, eager to see if these next-generation drivers can carve out their own chapters in stock car racing history.
.@CadenKvapil is stepping full-time into the cockpit of JR Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevrolet Late Model in 2026 and @wyattwmiller73 will take the next step on his journey to the top levels of the sport as well.
Late Model Preview: https://t.co/eLwz4JYUjh
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) February 26, 2026
