JR Motorsports announced Tuesday it has promoted Carson Kvapil to drive full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025.

Kvapil will have backing from Bass Pro Shops and pilot the No. 1 Chevrolet, replacing Sammy Smith, who signed with Haas Factory Team to drive the No. 41 Ford in the Xfinity Series next season.

Kvapil, 21, is one of NASCAR’s rising prospects. He’s been highly impressive on the CARS Tour, winning the series championship in 2022 and ’23 driving for JR Motorsports. He’s competed in just five CARS events this season as he’s dabbled further in NASCAR.

Kvapil, the son of former NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil, has piloted the JR Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet in eight Xfinity Series races this season. He finished runner-up to Ryan Truex at Dover in April. Kvapil finished P12 in his lone Truck Series start at Bristol in 2023 and has tallied three top three finishes in as many starts in the ARCA Menard Series.

Carson Kvapil compiling trophies in Late Models ahead of full-time NASCAR run

Kvapil is just a few days removed from winning the NASCAR Late Model Series’ ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville. The accolades are beginning to stack up Kvapil, who is now in possession of a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock.

“This Late Model Stock racing is so much harder than it looks,” Kvapil told Matt Weaver of Short Track Scene. “To win a CARS Tour race is huge, so to win championships is even bigger obviously, and this race is a championship within itself. These race cars are incredibly technical.

“This stuff is actually really hard, and it prepared me really well for the bigger cars.” 

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