It has been a tough start to the new NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign for JR Motorsports, but on Saturday at Martinsville, the team showed what it was capable of. Four of its drivers finished in the top 10, out of which three were in the top 5. Among them was the latest recruit of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carson Kvapil. The 20-year-old made his Xfinity Series debut and managed to earn an incredible P4 finish, which is a testament to Junior’s uncanny skill of recognizing motorsports talent and getting it right almost every single time.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s latest recruit looks back on his successful debut

This was indeed a much-needed result for JRM. Before today, they did not have a single top-five finish this season and had several DNFs. In this race alone, the team earned 3. They will now be looking to build on this momentum and get even better. But the focus will be on Carson Kvapil for the time being. Ahead of the race, the 20-year-old admitted to being nervous, but it did not seem that way on track at all.

“Yeah, I’m definitely nervous. It didn’t really kick in until I got here but honestly, I think it’s not going to be much different than running Late Models here, right? So, I just want to make the most of the 15 minutes that I get in practice and see what we come out of here with. Hopefully tomorrow everything goes well today and tomorrow we can just focus on our strategy and getting the best finish,” he had said, as per Sportsnaut.

While it was a crowning moment for the youngster, JRM’s full-time 20-year-old driver, Sam Mayer, said that he felt like the race victory was stolen from him. The culprit? Another late restart.

Did the late restart steal Sam Mayer’s shot at victory at Martinsville?

Trending

Michael Jordans’ Entrepreneurial Drive Could Potentially Be the End of 23XI and Denny Hamlin’s Dream

May 02, 2024 10:39 AM EDT

Denny Hamlin Reveals the Harsh Reality That Awaits NASCAR At the End of 2024 – “We Just Wouldn’t Show up”

May 02, 2024 06:55 AM EDT

Sister Kelley & Jordan Fish React as Dale Jr’s Wife Sends Heart-melting Message on Their Daughter’s Special Day

May 01, 2024 09:05 PM EDT

“That’s What Dale Earnhardt Did”—NASCAR Veteran Dissects Rick Hendrick’s Call to Commit Financially Behind HMS Star

May 01, 2024 04:48 AM EDT

6 Years After Retiring, Danica Patrick Hops Behind the Wheel and Fans Can’t Get Enough

April 29, 2024 06:43 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Motorsports, especially NASCAR, can be rewarding and cruel at the same time. Dale Earnhardt Jr might have been hoping for a win with Mayer, but it all got messed up. Aric Almirola ended up taking the lead and retaining it until the checkered flag, much to JRM’s dismay. It will be interesting to see how the driver of the #1 car bounces back in the next race.

“That’s the first time I’ve done that here so super proud of these guys, we’re digging ourselves out of a hole little by little. But at the end of the day, we needed a W and got one I feel like stolen from me there a little bit. Tough deal but we’re gonna move on to, I don’t even know where we are next week, probably a good track for me. So, I ain’t worried about it we’re gonna go and try to haul the mail there,” he said, as per On 3.

With this result, Dale Earnhardt Jr will have gained a lot of confidence in his team and drivers for the rest of the season. Will a JRM driver be able to win the championship at the end of the year? Only time will tell.

NASCAR Caught Gen Z Hailie Deegan by Surprise at Richmond