JR Motorsports Unveils Star-Studded 2026 Driver Lineup for No. 88

JR Motorsports has announced an impressive lineup of drivers for the No. 88 Chevrolet in the upcoming 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. The team revealed that five drivers will share responsibilities across the 33-race schedule, featuring notable names from Hendrick Motorsports.

Leading the lineup are Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, each set to make three appearances. William Byron and Alex Bowman will take the wheel for two races, while rookie Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 88 car for 16 regular-season events and all seven races in the postseason. This diverse group of talent is expected to create a formidable presence on the track.

Commentary from JR Motorsports Leadership

JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller expressed enthusiasm about the returning drivers. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome back all four of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers into the JRM family to join Rajah [Caruth] behind the wheel of our No. 88 Chevrolet,” she stated. Miller emphasized the longstanding relationship with Mr. Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports, noting that it has enabled this unique collaboration aimed at competing for the owner’s championship in 2026.

The full driver schedule for the No. 88 car is as follows:

– **Feb. 14** – Daytona International Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **Feb. 21** – EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta (Rajah Caruth)
– **Feb. 28** – Circuit of The Americas (Rajah Caruth)
– **March 7** – Phoenix Raceway (William Byron)
– **March 14** – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Kyle Larson)
– **March 21** – Darlington Raceway (Alex Bowman)
– **March 28** – Martinsville Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **April 4** – Rockingham Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **April 11** – Bristol Motor Speedway (Kyle Larson)
– **April 18** – Kansas Motor Speedway (William Byron)
– **April 25** – Talladega Superspeedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **May 2** – Texas Motor Speedway (Kyle Larson)
– **May 9** – Watkins Glen International (Rajah Caruth)
– **May 16** – Dover Motor Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **May 23** – Charlotte Motor Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **May 30** – Nashville Superspeedway (Alex Bowman)
– **June 13** – Pocono Raceway (William Byron)
– **June 20** – Naval Base Coronado (Rajah Caruth)
– **June 27** – Sonoma Raceway (Rajah Caruth)
– **July 4** – Chicagoland Speedway (Chase Elliott)
– **July 11** – EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta (Rajah Caruth)
– **July 25** – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Chase Elliott)
– **Aug. 8** – Iowa Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **Aug. 28** – Daytona International Speedway (Rajah Caruth)
– **Sept. 5** – Darlington Raceway (Rajah Caruth)
– **Sept. 12** – World Wide Technology Raceway (Rajah Caruth)

A New Era for the No. 88 Car

The No. 88 car will have a fresh look this season, following a successful campaign where Connor Zilisch secured 10 wins during his rookie year. Zilisch has since transitioned to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, allowing JR Motorsports to assemble a competitive roster for the 2026 season.

As Caruth embarks on his rookie journey in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he will benefit significantly from the experience and skills of his more seasoned teammates. With these drivers sharing the seat, fans can anticipate an exciting and dynamic season ahead as they aim for victory on diverse tracks across the United States.