Motorsport is all about cashing in on opportunities as they come. Be it stock cars, open-top cars, or motorbikes, options are few and far between. While only a few make it to the elite circles, it’s crucial for a racer to bank on their chances in an industry that is so cut-throat. After all, a gain for one is a loss for another. And that is what former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr recently realized.

JR Motorsports, co-owned by Junior, is a race car team that takes part in many competitions like the Xfinity Series, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, and the CARS Tour. Since the time for its inception, the team has seen a lot of talented drivers come through to the ranks in all competitions. But having a talented driver and keeping them are two completely different things.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s prized pupil takes big strides in stock-car racing

Dale Earnhardt Jr will drive for JR Motorsports next weekend in Bristol in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 48-year-old does not participate as frequently in competitive races. Hence, it will be a treat for fans to witness one of the most popular drivers of this generation get back on the track in NASCAR.

While Junior is a part-time racer who will drive the #88 car in Bristol, there are four full-time drivers in Junior’s team for the Xfinity Series, namely Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry, and Brandon Jones. 

The former Cup Series driver races in the Late Model Stock Cars alongside Kyle Larson and Carson Kvapil. While Larson is a popular name in the Cup Series, Carson Kvapil, on the other hand, is lesser known. But it is the latest development in his career that led Dale to get candid about his feelings on his podcast.

So what is the new development you may ask? Before we get to that, here is some context. The 20-year-old drives full-time in the CARS Tour for JR Motorsports and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series for Pinnacle Racing Group. It is with regards to Kvapil that Junior recently understood that talented drivers will always have admirers who will not hesitate to poach them, if necessary.

Kvapil is a part-time racer in the NASCAR Truck Series with Spire Motorsports. Any stock car racer will agree that the NASCAR Cup Series is where they want to race and the Truck Series is the first step to get there. Now, Kvapil will race in the Truck Series in Bristol this weekend and if he delivers a good performance, there is a chance that he will be taken on as a full-time driver. This will force him to push JR Motorsports and the CARS Tour to the back seat. Naturally, Junior had some mixed emotions on the matter. 

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“It’s a little bit of a double-edged sword… kinda happy, kinda sad about it. Carson’s done such an amazing job for us in the CARS tour, but these opportunities you have to take,” Junior said on a recent episode of The Dale Jr Download podcast.

“That’s just the way it goes, I mean, that’s what happens when you get these opportunities, you can’t pass them up, that’s pretty much it,” he added.

Fans flock to congratulate Dale Earnhardt Jr’s pupil

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As news of Kvapil’s inclusion in the Truck Series race at Bristol went public, fans flocked to the 20-year-old’s Twitter handle to congratulate him. Despite being quite young, it seems like the JR Motorsports man seems to have gained a lot of followers.

“So excited for you! This is the first of many opportunities, I’m sure. We’ll be cheering for you from the stands,” commented another.

Some fans even suggested that Dale Earnhardt Jr should look at this as an opportunity to double down. They suggested he should give Kvapil a spot in his Xfinity team. “That’s cool. Dale Jr needs to put you in his Josh Berry Xfinity car, since it’s going to be empty next year.”

“Congrats Carson! You deserve it and can’t wait to watch your 1st truck start,” commented another fan.
“So glad for you Carson! I see big things in your future,” opined another.

Kvapil really has made a name for himself racing in the CARS Tour. And the love for the 20-year-old is overflowing. But will he be able to cope with the intense pressure which is the norm in NASCAR? 

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