Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his team, JR Motorsports (JRM), have been at the center of significant changes this silly season. The current driver lineup has not achieved the desired results in the Xfinity Series, making adjustments for 2025 almost inevitable. However, JRM isn’t waiting until the end of the year to make their move. They’ve already announced that Connor Zilisch will be joining the No. 88 car in 2025. Now, another change is on the horizon: Brandon Jones, who drives the No. 9 JRM Chevy, will not be returning next year. Instead, he’s set to rejoin Joe Gibbs Racing, aiming to rediscover his winning form.
Jones has struggled to find success at JRM, with 56 starts and no wins to his name. His performance in 2024 has been underwhelming, with only a runner-up finish at Charlotte and a few top-10 finishes to his credit. Currently, he’s 132 points away from the playoff cutline with just three races left in the regular season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s planned exit from Xfinity Series racing and Jones’ departure suggest that JRM is gearing up to make further adjustments to their lineup. Bob Pockrass recently provided an update via X, revealing, “Brandon Jones to race an Xfinity car for JGR next season as he moves from JRM to Gibbs.” This announcement has sparked speculation among fans about who might take Jones’ place. Carson Kvapil has emerged as a leading candidate in these discussions.
Kvapil, from Mooresville, has made a name for himself in the late-model stock car scene and impressed during his part-time stint with JRM in 2024. Fans are eager to see him promoted to a full-time role with the #9 team in 2025. One fan expressed enthusiasm, saying, “get ready to learn JRM Carson Kvapil.” Another suggested a potential lineup shift: “@Carson_Kvapil full time next season? Hope Sammy moves to the 1 and Carson gets the 8 if so.”
Bob Pockrass also hinted at JRM’s interest in Kvapil. When asked about the possibility of Rajah Caruth joining JRM, Pockrass replied, “Things still fluid but would expect another full year of trucks for Caruth. JRM working to find funding for Carson Kvapil.” This further indicates that Kvapil might be a strong contender for a full-time role.
While Kvapil is a popular choice, other names have been mentioned as potential replacements. Ryan Truex, who has already won two Xfinity Series races this season, is another driver many fans believe deserves a full-time spot. With only Shane van Gisbergen having more victories than Truex, some fans are advocating for his promotion: “need ryan truex full time in xfinity.”
As JR Motorsports prepares for the 2025 season, the addition of Carson Kvapil as a full-time driver seems increasingly likely. The team’s moves and speculations around their lineup reflect a strategic effort to enhance their performance and align with the evolving dynamics of the Xfinity Series.
Joe Gibbs Stealing Dale Jr’s Driver Leaves Fans waiting for NASCAR Prodigy’s JRM Promotion
