JR Motorsports is one of the premier organizations in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and a popular destination for Cup Series prospects. The team, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, is expected to bolster its current driver lineup and welcome new faces in 2025. JRM currently has four full-time drivers in the Xfinity Series and the part-time No. 88 All-Star car. Sam Mayer, starting for Haas, drives the No. 1 Chevrolet. 1. Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt recently announced that Trackhouse Development driver Connor Zilisch will be the full-time driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet. 88 next season. With the arrival of Sam Mayer to the Haas factory team, a position at JRM is now open. Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Brandon Jones could also leave the team.The announcement of Zilisch and Mayer shook the landscape in the team, leaving much to be speculated about the team’s line-up of drivers in 2025. Amidst the rumors and speculation, let’s take a look at three possible replacements for Mayer.
3 Possible Replacements for Sam Mayer at JR Motorsports
#3 Christian Eckes
Christian Eckes, 23, of Middletown, New York, is putting together a dominant Truck Series campaign, turning heads behind the wheel of the #19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet. With three wins and 11 top-5s, he currently leads the playoff standings.
Eckes is tied to Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity team, but JR Motorsports is a better option for Chevrolet. He has been a JRM development manager in the past and managed Late Models for the team. The 23-year-old is emerging as a potential replacement for Sam Mayer.
#2 Connor Mosack
Connor Mosack is currently competing in select races in the Xfinity, Truck and ARCA series. The 25-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina recently made his debut behind the wheel of the #88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, finishing eighth in the Chicago Road Race. Mosack, who has yet to compete in a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series season, already has two wins in the Menards ARCA Series. His best truck finish was an eighth place behind the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
Carson Kvapil
no. 1Carson Kvapil is the favorite to land a seat at JR Motorsports, given his incredible late-model record-breaking prowess and solid part-time performances in the Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the
No. 1 Chevrolet. 1. 88 for JRM.
The two-time CARS Tour Late Model champion made seven starts behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet, earning an impressive fourth place in his debut at Martinsville Speedway. Overall, he recorded three top 5 finishes and another top 10 finish.Dale Earnhardt Jr. has praised Kvapil’s talent on numerous occasions and could use this opportunity to bring him to the Xfinity Series in a full-time role.
