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JR Motorsports reveals returning sponsor, paint schemes for Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil

JHby:Jonathan Howard•about 23 hours•

Jondean25

JR Motorsports
© Alex Gould/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

For its two star rookies, JR Motorsports has a returning sponsor. Both Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil will partner First Bank of Alabama in 2025. The No. 1 and No. 88 cars are going to have the familiar blue, white and gray of the NASCAR sponsor.

Next season the NASCAR Xfinity Series is going to be JR Motorsports’ to lose. They have two of the most talented rookies in the series, the reigning champion in Justin Allgaier, and a star waiting to breakthrough in Sammy Smith.

Kvapil and Zilisch are going to win races this year. There are few in the series who can compete with Kvapil’s short-track prowess. He’s the son of 2003 Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil and has cut his teeth in the CARS Tour.

As for Zilisch, well, if you watched any NASCAR last season you already know. Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, Truck Series qualifying record at COTA, won in his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen – do I need to continue?

Check out these great paint schemes. And kudos to JR Motorsports for making the driver’s side No. 1 the 1 in the First Bank logo. It looks fantastic.

Both of these drivers will have multiple sponsors in 2025. Kvapil will carry Bass Pro Shops with him for a number of races. Carolina Carports and Kampgrounds of America are two other sponsors that Zilisch will work with this season.

JR Motorsports has Cup Series talent top to bottom

Looking at the 2025 JR Motorsports roster, they have four drivers that have the talent to go Cup Series racing. Even Justin Allgaier who tried Cup and flamed out. He could get a ride in the top series if he ever desired that route again. There’s a reason why he was the reserve driver for Kyle Larson at the Coca-Cola 600 last year.

Then you look at the young trio of Carson Kvapil, Connor Zilisch, and Sammy Smith. Kvapil is the oldest of the three at 21. Smith is 20 years old. Zilisch just turned 18 last summer. So the young core there is still full of so much potential.

The 2025 Xfinity Series season should be a lot of fun. These three going up against other young, exciting drivers like Jesse Love, Sam Mayer, other rookies like Nick Sanchez, Daniel Dye, Christian Eckes, and William Sawalich. The Rookie of the Year battle will be intense with 10 drivers competing for the award.

JR Motorsports has every reason to be confident for 2025. They have four drivers who could all make deep playoff runs and win multiple races.