With the 2024 NASCAR season officially underway, the community is eager to witness many debuts throughout the nationwide series. It’s no secret that Shane van Gisbergen’s full-time debut in the Xfinity Series this year has everyone’s attention. But another exciting debut was announced by Dale Earnhardt Jr and JR Motorsports, who have given their budding late-model program driver, Carson Kvapil, the opportunity to make his Xfinity debut at Martinsville Speedway on April 6, wielding the #88 Chevrolet. While it was only a matter of time before the 2x zMAX CARS Tour champion got a shot at the big leagues, just who has Junior appointed to replace his star driver?

With Kvapil’s Xfinity Series debut on the horizon, Dale Earnhardt Jr spills the beans on his replacement

In the latest episode of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s podcast with Dirty Mo Media, the JR Motorsports owner revealed the big plans in store for Carson Kvapil and also revealed his replacement for the weekend at Hickory. Reflecting on Carson’s new opportunity, Junior shared, “Carson is a two-time, back-to-back champion, and could still win the championship if he has a lights-out season even missing a race.” The next step for Kvapil will see him join the likes of William Byron and Josh Berry, both former JR Motorsports late-model program drivers who made their Xfinity debuts with the team.

On the other hand, Kvapil’s departure during the weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway means Junior had large shoes to fill in. That’s when an upcoming talent that Junior had encountered during a race at North Wilkesboro in 2022 came into the picture. Junior revealed, “We had to find a fill-in driver. There’s this kid, Mason Diaz, who ran second to me at North Wilkesboro when we brought it back (in 2022) and really impressed me with his drive. I ended up running third in that race.”

During that race, Junior was having thoughts of the weekend at Hickory and how the 23-year-old would make the perfect fit for such an event. Speaking to his crew chief Bryan Shaffer about the prospect, Junior was quoted by ShortTrackScene, “I said, ‘thinking about a driver for Hickory and I think the guy next to me can do it’ because I always thought a lot of Mason and his talent.”

Junior expressed how impressive Diaz’s hands-on personality and raw talent had been over the few seasons in the CARS Tour, making him the ideal candidate to replace the 2x Champion. Junior concluded, “He’s a hands-on guy and is a really talented driver. He’s trying to put together some CARS Tour races this year to run the full season. An opportunity for Carson also presents an opportunity for a racer like Mason. So, it trickles down and hopefully, everyone has a great experience over this process.”

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Speaking of everyone having a great experience, Carson Kvapil is bubbling with anticipation not only because of his Xfinity Series debut, but since the event also coincides with a meaningful moment for the Kvapil family.

Carson Kvapil is all set to recreate his father’s Cup Series debut at Martinsville

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Through JR Motorsports’ Late Model program, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Co. not only produced Cup Series stars such as William Byron who just won the Daytona 500 but also are eager to repeat similar success with Carson Kvapil. And for Kvapil, this opportunity could not have come at a more meaningful venue. Last year, the now 20-year-old made an emotional debut in the Truck Series, following in his father and 2003 NASCAR Truck Series Champion Travis Kvapil’s footsteps.

But with JR Motorsports presenting another golden opportunity, Kvapil is eager to make the most of his Xfinity debut at Martinsville, the same track his father had made his Cup Series debut in. Kvapil was quoted in a NASCAR press release on MSN, “I‘m really looking forward to making my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville. My dad (Travis Kvapil) made his NASCAR Cup Series debut there back in 2004, so it‘s cool to make my first Xfinity start at the same track.”

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With Carson Kvapil’s prior experience running Late Models for JR Motorsports in Martinsville, the North Carolina native couldn’t be more prepared for what’s to come. On the other hand, do you think Mason Diaz will live up to Dale Eanhardt Jr’s golden standard?