Carson Kvapil Bio
Carson Wade Kvapil (born May 22, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports. The son of 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, he has emerged as one of the top young talents in the NASCAR development pipeline.
Born and raised in Mooresville, North Carolina, Kvapil grew up near the heart of the NASCAR industry and began racing at a young age. He progressed through regional late model programs before joining JR Motorsports’ driver development system, where he won consecutive CARS Late Model Stock Tour championships.
Early Life and Background
Carson Wade Kvapil was born on May 22, 2003, in Mooresville, North Carolina. Mooresville is widely known as a hub for NASCAR teams, race shops, and racing families, giving Kvapil early exposure to the sport from childhood.
He is the son of Travis Kvapil, a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, and the older brother of Caden Kvapil, who competes in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour. Carson also has a sister named Kelsey. Growing up in a racing household meant that short-track competition became a natural part of his upbringing.
By his early teens, Kvapil was already competing in entry-level late model divisions, and his family connections to established NASCAR teams helped open doors to competitive equipment and tracks across the Southeast.
Path to NASCAR
Kvapil’s climb through the racing ranks began in regional limited late model competition. In 2017, he ran select events in the Southeast Limited Late Model Series and the Challenger Division, winning two of his three Challenger starts at Dillon Motor Speedway and Florence Motor Speedway.
The following year, he expanded into the ARCA Midwest Tour, winning in his first start at Golden Sands Speedway, and made his CARS Late Model Stock Tour debut at Tri-County Speedway. In 2019, he earned a runner-up finish at South Boston Speedway in the CARS Super Late Model Tour, signaling his readiness for a full-time touring schedule.
By 2020, Kvapil had won the Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship, and in 2021 he claimed the CARS Super Late Model Tour title, winning the championship by a single point over Matt Craig. That success led him to JR Motorsports’ Drivers Edge Development program in 2022.
Carson Kvapil Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Kvapil’s earliest documented success came in the Challenger Division, where he won two of three starts in 2017. He followed that with a victory in his ARCA Midwest Tour debut at Golden Sands Speedway in 2018 and a strong run in the 2019 CARS Super Late Model Tour, where a second-place finish at South Boston Speedway marked his best result of the year.
In 2020, he captured the Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship, winning six of seven starts. He also finished fifth in the CARS Super Late Model Tour standings, with top finishes of fourth at Hickory Motor Speedway on two occasions.
CARS Late Model Stock Tour Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Kvapil joined JR Motorsports’ Drivers Edge Development program and ran the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour schedule in the No. 8 Chevrolet, replacing Josh Berry. He opened the season with a win at the Old North State Nationals at Caraway Speedway after leading 59 laps, and added victories at Franklin County Speedway on his nineteenth birthday and the inaugural Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Despite a midseason suspension and fine from an incident at Ace Speedway, Kvapil secured the 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship with a win at South Boston. In 2023, he won his second consecutive title, recording five victories and finishing in the top ten in all but one race that season.
ARCA and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut (2021–2023)
Kvapil made his ARCA Menards Series East debut in 2021 with Cook-Finley Racing but was sidelined by mechanical issues in all three starts. In 2023, he made his main ARCA Menards Series debut at Kansas Speedway with Pinnacle Racing Group, finishing second behind Connor Mosack.
That same year, he made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Spire Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway in the No. 7 Chevrolet, finishing twelfth after starting twenty-seventh.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Arrival (2024–2025)
On February 22, 2024, JR Motorsports announced that Kvapil would attempt his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in the No. 88 Chevrolet. He impressed immediately, finishing fourth in that first start. Three weeks later at Dover Motor Speedway, he led fourteen laps in the closing stages and finished second behind Ryan Truex.
On October 1, 2024, JR Motorsports announced that Kvapil would compete full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet and replacing Sam Mayer. During 2025, he also made a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start for CR7 Motorsports in the No. 97 truck at Richmond. Following brief public uncertainty about his 2026 plans, JR Motorsports confirmed on October 29, 2025, that Kvapil would continue with the team full-time.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kvapil has built a reputation for consistency and short-track racecraft developed through years of late model competition. His ability to run at the front in long green-flag runs and capitalize on late-race restarts has been a defining strength, particularly on intermediate tracks where he led laps at Dover in only his second Xfinity Series start.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature moments include his win in the inaugural Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, his Dover runner-up finish in only his second Xfinity Series start, and consecutive CARS Late Model Stock Tour championships in 2022 and 2023. His Martinsville debut finish of fourth also stands out as an early benchmark in his national series career.
Carson Kvapil Career Wins
Carson Kvapil’s verified wins span regional late model competition, the CARS Super Late Model Tour, and the CARS Late Model Stock Tour. His championship pedigree includes titles in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, cementing his status as one of the most successful young short-track drivers of his generation.
CARS Late Model Stock Tour Highlights
Kvapil won the CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, key wins came at Caraway Speedway, Franklin County Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and South Boston Speedway, including the inaugural Window World 125. In 2023, he added five more victories on his way to a second straight title.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier highlights include two Challenger Division wins in 2017, a debut ARCA Midwest Tour victory at Golden Sands Speedway in 2018, and the 2021 CARS Super Late Model Tour championship, won by a single point over Matt Craig thanks to a season-finale win at South Boston. He also won the 2020 Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship with six victories in seven starts, and earned CARS Super Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 2019.
Carson Kvapil Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kvapil comes from a well-known racing family. His father, Travis Kvapil, is a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion who won the series title in 2003. The family has long been based in Mooresville, North Carolina, a center of the NASCAR industry, which helped shape Carson’s early development as a driver.
Personal Life
Carson is the older brother of Caden Kvapil, who competes in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, and he also has a sister named Kelsey. He has continued to build his career in the same North Carolina racing community where he grew up, supported closely by his family.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Carson Kvapil is competing full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for JR Motorsports, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet. The season represents his first full year of national series competition, following a partial 2024 schedule that included his Martinsville debut and a runner-up finish at Dover.
During the year, he also made a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Richmond Raceway with CR7 Motorsports in the No. 97 truck, gaining additional seat time in national-level equipment. His full-time Xfinity program with JR Motorsports is focused on development and consistent top results as he adjusts to the demands of a 33-race schedule.
Midway through the season, public reporting briefly suggested a shared driving arrangement for 2026, but JR Motorsports clarified on October 29, 2025, that Kvapil would remain with the organization full-time. The outlook points to continued growth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and a long-term role as a core driver within JR Motorsports.