Carson Kvapil Bio
Carson Wade Kvapil (born May 22, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports. The Mooresville, North Carolina native comes from a deep racing background and has quickly built a reputation as one of the top young talents in American motorsports.
Kvapil first gained attention through championship-winning performances in Late Model competition across the Carolinas. By his early twenties, he had already captured multiple touring series titles, a marquee short-track crown jewel, and a full-time ride in one of NASCAR’s national series.
Early Life and Background
Carson Wade Kvapil was born on May 22, 2003, in Mooresville, North Carolina, a town widely known as a hub of the NASCAR industry. He grew up surrounded by racing, with the sport woven into daily life through family connections and local short tracks. Standing 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) and weighing roughly 170 lb (77 kg), he developed physically alongside his early racing ambitions.
His father, Travis Kvapil, is a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion who won the title in 2003, giving Carson direct access to professional-level insight from a young age. Travis also fielded cars for his son in regional Late Model competition, reinforcing the family-driven nature of Carson’s development. Carson also has a brother, Caden Kvapil, who competes in Super Late Model and Pro Late Model racing, as well as a sister named Kelsey.
Growing up in Mooresville placed Kvapil near many of NASCAR’s team shops, test tracks, and grassroots facilities. That proximity, combined with his father’s background, helped shape a clear path toward a career in stock car racing.
Path to NASCAR
Kvapil’s climb through the sport followed the traditional short-track ladder common to young American drivers. He began in 2017 with selected Southeast Limited Late Model events and the Challenger Division, winning two of three Challenger starts at Dillon Motor Speedway and Florence Motor Speedway. The following year, he stepped into the ARCA Midwest Tour and won his first start at Golden Sands Speedway, signaling early speed against more experienced competition.
In 2019, Kvapil ran three CARS Super Late Model Tour races, earning a second-place finish at South Boston Speedway. That same year, he was named CARS Super Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year. He returned for the full 2020 schedule, finishing fifth in points while also winning the Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship in dominant fashion, taking six wins across seven starts.
Carson Kvapil Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Kvapil’s earliest recorded results came in 2017, when he won twice in three Challenger Division starts. He added an ARCA Midwest Tour victory at Golden Sands Speedway in 2018 and made his CARS Late Model Stock Tour debut that same year at Tri-County Speedway. Each step expanded his resume against more experienced drivers and broader competition.
By 2020, Kvapil had assembled a championship-caliber season in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series. His six-win performance in seven starts demonstrated consistency and race craft well beyond his years. Those results set the stage for a breakout 2021 campaign on the CARS Super Late Model Tour.
CARS Super Late Model Tour Breakthrough (2021)
In 2021, Kvapil committed to the full CARS Super Late Model Tour schedule, driving the No. 35 Chevrolet fielded by his father Travis. He entered the season finale at South Boston Speedway in a tight points battle with Matt Craig and sealed the championship with a win in that final race, edging Craig by a single point. The title cemented his status as one of the top young Late Model drivers in the country.
That same year, he also made three ARCA Menards Series East starts with Cook-Finley Racing. Mechanical issues prevented a top finish, but the experience added valuable seat time on larger tracks and introduced him to NASCAR’s broader developmental pipeline.
JR Motorsports and CARS Late Model Stock Tour Era (2022–2023)
In 2022, Kvapil joined JR Motorsports’ Drivers Edge Development program, taking over the No. 8 Chevrolet for the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour season. He opened the year with a win at Caraway Speedway in the Old North State Nationals, then added a victory at Franklin County Speedway on his nineteenth birthday. His August win in the inaugural Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway became one of the signature moments of his short-track career. He closed the year by clinching the 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship with a win at South Boston.
He repeated as CARS Late Model Stock Tour champion in 2023, recording five wins and finishing in the top ten in all but one race. That same year, he made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Kansas Speedway with Pinnacle Racing Group, finishing second behind Connor Mosack. He also made his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start later in 2023 at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports and finishing twelfth.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Era (2024–Present)
On February 22, 2024, JR Motorsports announced that Kvapil would attempt his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in the No. 88 Chevrolet. He finished fourth in that first start, then charged to second place at Dover Motor Speedway in only his second Xfinity outing, leading laps late before being passed by Ryan Truex. The strong debut performances led JR Motorsports to confirm him for a full-time ride in 2025.
On October 1, 2024, the team formally announced that Kvapil would drive the No. 1 Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time in 2025, replacing Sam Mayer. During 2025, he also made a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start for CR7 Motorsports at Richmond Raceway. Following the season, JR Motorsports initially indicated a part-time schedule for 2026 with car sharing, then later clarified that Kvapil would continue full-time behind the wheel of the No. 1.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kvapil has shown a balanced driving style that combines short-track aggressiveness with patience on intermediate ovals. His Late Model background has sharpened his tire management and short-run race craft, while his Xfinity Series results highlight comfort in traffic and on longer runs. Working within the JR Motorsports system has given him access to experienced crew chiefs, engineers, and data resources to refine his approach week to week.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature moments include his 2021 CARS Super Late Model Tour title-clinching win at South Boston, his 2022 Window World 125 victory at North Wilkesboro, and his runner-up finish in only his second Xfinity Series start at Dover. In 2024, he also captured the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville and the Icebreaker 125, two of the most prestigious short-track events in the country.
Carson Kvapil Career Wins
Kvapil’s verified wins span Late Model stock car racing and high-profile short-track events. His most celebrated victories include the 2022 Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the 2022 Old North State Nationals, the 2024 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville, and the 2024 Icebreaker 125. These results reflect his strength on short tracks and his ability to deliver in championship-deciding moments.
CARS Tour Highlights
Across the CARS Super Late Model Tour and CARS Late Model Stock Tour, Kvapil has earned three series championships. He won the 2021 CARS Super Late Model Tour title and back-to-back CARS Late Model Stock Tour championships in 2022 and 2023. His 2022 season included three or more Late Model Stock Tour wins, with multiple victories during his five-win 2023 title run.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the CARS Tour, Kvapil captured the 2020 Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship with six victories in seven starts. He also won at Golden Sands Speedway in his ARCA Midwest Tour debut in 2018. In ARCA Menards Series competition, he has logged three top-ten finishes without a win, while his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts have produced consistent development laps.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Carson Kvapil Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kvapil comes from one of the more recognized racing families in North Carolina’s stock car scene. His father, Travis Kvapil, won the 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship and later fielded cars for Carson in CARS Tour competition. The family-operated team model gave Carson direct exposure to car setup, race strategy, and the business side of motorsports.
His brother, Caden Kvapil, also races, competing in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour and Super Late Model events. Carson also has a sister, Kelsey, completing a household deeply connected to racing. Growing up in this environment shaped Carson’s discipline, work ethic, and competitive drive.
Personal Life
Kvapil resides in the Mooresville, North Carolina area, the longtime home base for many NASCAR-affiliated families. He maintains an active presence on social media, sharing updates from race weekends and behind-the-scenes team content. Publicly available information about his personal relationships or marital status is limited.
2025 Season Performance
Kvapil’s first full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign has been a strong introduction to national-series racing. Driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, he opened the year with consistent finishes and quickly adapted to the longer ten-race schedule. By mid-season, he had posted enough top-ten results to remain in contention for a strong overall championship standing.
Through the 2025 season, Kvapil has accumulated 26 top-ten finishes and one pole position, with a best series result of fourth in the standings. He has demonstrated steady improvement on intermediate ovals and produced strong runs on short tracks, where his Late Model background has translated well. His development within the JR Motorsports system has positioned him as one of the breakout rookies of the season.
Heading into the closing races of the 2025 schedule, Kvapil remains a factor in the playoff picture and continues to build momentum for 2026. With team stability at JR Motorsports and additional seat time on every track type, his rookie O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign has laid a clear foundation for sustained success at NASCAR’s national level.
