In the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, JR Motorsports showcased its prowess with a remarkable performance. The team secured a record 16 wins across 121 races, with Connor Zilisch leading the charge by clinching the Regular Season Championship. Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion, added to the team’s success with multiple wins, including a memorable one at Dover. The team’s consistent top finishes and strategic plays solidified their position as a dominant force in the series. But they’re not stopping here.

As Connor Zilisch is set to start his full-time Cup role, his No. 88 will transform and see a new driver in the seat, signaling a shift in strategy. Keeping this in mind, Dale Jr’s JR Motorsports is set to field a dynamic lineup featuring both veteran and emerging talent for the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts (Xfinity) Series.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. adds experienced hand to Xfinity Series roster

Parker Kligerman, a seasoned driver with a rich history in NASCAR, is slated to return to the series on a part-time basis. His involvement is set to bring a wealth of experience and fan engagement to the team. Simultaneously, Rajah Caruth, a rising star known for his impressive performances in the Truck Series, is anticipated to join the team too, also on a part-time schedule.

Kligerman’s return to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is particularly noteworthy. After a decade-long hiatus from full-time racing, Kligerman made a triumphant return in 2025, securing a victory at Daytona International Speedway. Driving for JR Motorsports, he filled in for Connor Zilisch, who had suffered a broken collarbone in a post-victory celebration. Kligerman’s epic performance not only clinched a win for the team but also demonstrated his enduring skill and adaptability on the track.

The victory was especially poignant, as Kligerman had been disqualified from a previous Daytona win due to technical infractions, making his triumph a redemption of sorts. “It’s different in every way, because I didn’t expect to get a call from (team owner) Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. on the day I was leaving for vacation, saying ‘Hey, man, would you come drive this thing?'” Kligerman said. “I hate the circumstances for Connor. He’s an amazing generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call to grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in. … For me, it’s such a ‘me’ thing that this will not be on Racing Reference at all.”

Dale Jr. also expressed his pride in Kligerman’s performance and the reason behind choosing him as a substitute for Zilisch, saying, “Well, they’re about the same size, trying to get somebody in and out of the car and get them in there comfortably is important, and Parker all but won the Truck race here earlier this year. And so we have a working relationship that you’re well aware of. He’s a great guy, a good friend. And I felt that he would be excited to do it, and really there’s not too much else thought put into it.”

On the other hand, Caruth’s anticipated move to JRM is equally compelling. At 23, Caruth has rapidly ascended through NASCAR’s ranks, earning recognition as the 2024 Truck Series Most Popular Driver. His journey from iRacing to a full-time Truck Series competitor with Spire Motorsports underscores his dedication and skill. His transition to JRM is expected to further his development and visibility in the sport.

By combining Kligerman’s extensive experience with Caruth’s emerging talent, the team aims to strengthen its competitive edge in the series. But Dale Jr. has clarified yet another rumor circling the NASCAR garages.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. voices concerns over limited practice time in NASCAR

Back in the day, NASCAR practice sessions felt like mini-races. Hours on track, plenty of adjustments, and endless notes for teams to carry into race day. Fast forward to now, and the sport looks a whole lot different. Since 2022, cost-saving rules have reduced practice to quick-hit sessions: 15-20 minutes for Cup, slightly more for Xfinity and Trucks. Group practice formats, where only portions of the field hit the track at a time, have made preparation feel more like a scramble than proper prep.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has ignited debate by advocating for expanded practice time, particularly in the Xfinity and Truck Series, “Also hearing a little rumor there could be a little more practice back on the schedule next year. I think that I’m hearing this more so in Xfinity that there’s just conversations around, should we… have more weekends, there are more practice.” He further explained, “We’ve got a lot of guys that are going into these cars that haven’t driven them before, that are going to race tracks they’ve never raced before, and they’re getting 10, 20 minutes of practice.”

The current format’s group sessions also raise concerns about fairness and track evolution. Spotter TJ Majors said, “I don’t like the group stuff in Cup. I just think it should be an hour. Let everybody practice the same time.” Junior agreed, noting, “The track changes. It does. First group runs a certain speed, then the track slows down, and it’s hard to really know who’s good and who isn’t.”

With rubbering in, temperature shifts, and limited laps, both rookies and veterans struggle to adapt, sparking calls for longer, unified sessions and a potential rethink of the practice structure to improve competition and racing quality.