The NASCAR Xfinity race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this year was nothing short of a nail-biter. Christopher Bell kept his streak alive, by snatching the lead on the final lap of overtime. Thus, making it perfect four wins in four career Xfinity starts at the 1.058-mile track. Sheldon Creed, though, tied a series record with his 10th runner-up finish, still chasing that elusive win. Cole Custer, who led a race-high 114 of 203 laps, found himself edged out in the chaos of the final laps. Amidst all this drama, a new star is shining bright.
Carson Kvapil, driving for JR Motorsports, clinched a top 5 finish for the third time in his four Xfinity starts. His performance is turning heads and making team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr beam with pride. Kvapil’s consistent showings are winning hearts and hinting at a promising future in NASCAR.
A rookie’s journey to the top
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Hailing from Mooresville, North Carolina, Carson Kvapil has racing in his blood. His father, Travis Kvapil was a Cup series driver. Just like other newbies, Kvapil made his start in the racing world with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Arca Mendes Series, where he secured his career-best finish of second at Kansas Speedway. Not to mention, his impressive performance at the Late Model competition where he won two titles for JRM. All these accolades got him set for his debut at NXS, in the 2024 season.
Just like his father, Kvapil made his debut this year at Martinsville. Dale Earnhardt Jr was excited to have him onboard, as he had earlier remarked: “Our Late Model program at JR Motorsports has been a huge part of the success we’ve had as a company. We’re excited to be able to give Carson the opportunity to take the next step in his career.” Dale Earhardt’s well-thought-out investment is finally giving out returns. Kvapil ousted the likes of experienced drivers like Bowman and AJ Allmendinger, only to name a few, making this a truly remarkable feat.
In a post-race interview, Kvapil expressed his gratitude, saying, “We were in a really good spot there with about 20 to go and probably got P3, but I can’t thank Andrew Overstreet, the whole JRM crew, and Clarence and Chevrolet for all that they do. On to the next one.” His gratitude didn’t go unnoticed.
Brought the No. 88 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet home P5.
That’s three top five finishes in four starts for @Carson_Kvapil in his @NASCAR_Xfinity Series career. pic.twitter.com/Tn8ymj96Oh
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) June 22, 2024
Fans who watched this interview on X were quick to share their views on the rookie. They expressed different flavors of a common emotion, “love and best wishes,” for Carson Kvapil. Kvapil’s consistent top performance and attitude have brought him the attention that a rookie can only dream of!
Fans rally behind Kvapil’s performance
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Fans have flooded social media with praise for the young driver. One fan remarked, “If I were 40 yrs younger would we have iRacing… oh nope. Missed the window. Very cool way to learn and obviously grow,” highlighting the innovative pathways that can be taken to be like Kvapil. Another fan simply stated, “Great run today!” capturing the widespread admiration for Kvapil’s efforts.
Support for Kvapil’s future in racing was a common theme among fans. “You better not let this one get away. He’s a keeper,” one fan urged, recognizing Kvapil’s immense potential. Another echoed this sentiment, “He needs to be full-time next year,” calling for more consistent opportunities for the promising driver. The enthusiasm continued with another fan exclaiming, “Give this kid a full-time ride, let’s roll!”
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There were also specific suggestions about where Kvapil should be placed. “Put him in the 9 car! Jones isn’t it. I’m willing to give Sammy Smith another year, though,” one fan suggested, showing confidence in Kvapil’s abilities. Others wanted to ensure he stayed with the same manufacturer, with one fan asking, “Can we please keep this driver in the Chevy camp?”
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To wrap it up, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s dedication to nurturing young talent through JR Motorsports’ Late Model program is clearly paying off. The program has already brought forth notable drivers like Sam Mayer, William Byron, and Josh Berry. With Carson Kvapil’s stellar performances, one can’t help but wonder: Could this young prodigy be headed to the Cup Series any soon?