In 2025, the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, driven by Connor Girish, has become a familiar presence with 10 victories in Victory Lane. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, it has been revealed that Rajah Carruth will be behind the wheel for 23 of the 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. For the remaining 10 events, Hendrick Motorsports’ Cup drivers will share driving duties in the No. 88 car, as their primary No. 17 car, driven full-time by Corey Day, leaves no room for a full Cup schedule in the second tier.
Thanks to full-season sponsorship from Hendrickcars.com, fans will see Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman take turns in the JRM No. 88 entry. Byron is slated for three starts at Phoenix Raceway (March 7), Kansas Speedway (April 18), and Pocono Raceway (June 13). Kyle Larson will also compete in three races, kicking off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 14), followed by Bristol (April 11), and Texas Motor Speedway (May 2). Bowman and Elliott will each run two events: Bowman at Darlington Raceway (March 21) and Nashville Superspeedway (May 30), while Elliott’s appearances come later in the summer at Chicagoland Speedway (July 4) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 25).
Kelly Earnhardt Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports, expressed enthusiasm for bringing the Hendrick drivers into the JRM fold, highlighting the unique history each of them shares with the team. She views this collaboration as a strong endorsement of the partnership with Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports, and HendrickCars.com, aiming for a competitive run at the 2026 Owners Championship.
Fan Take: This collaboration between JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports stars is thrilling for NASCAR fans, bringing Cup-level talent into the Xfinity Series spotlight and heightening competition. It also strengthens the synergy between two powerhouse teams, promising more exciting races and storylines throughout the 2026 season.
