JR Motorsports has locked in its 2026 plan for the No. 88 Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team will contest the full 33-race schedule with HendrickCars.com returning as the primary sponsor. Rajah Caruth will serve as the lead driver, joined by all four Hendrick Motorsports Cup Series drivers for select races.
According to HendrickCars.com, the program covers every regular-season race and all seven playoff events. The schedule opens at Daytona International Speedway and runs through the NOAPS playoffs.
Rajah Caruth Leads the No. 88 in 2026
Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet as the primary driver during the 2026 season. Caruth is scheduled to compete in 16 regular-season races and all seven playoff events, for a total of 23 starts. He will open the season at Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta, and Circuit of the Americas.
The 2026 season marks Caruth’s first year competing with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. HendrickCars.com notes that Caruth enters the program after three seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he recorded two wins, posted consecutive top-10 finishes in the final points standings, and earned the Truck Series Most Popular Driver Award in 2024 and 2025.
HendrickCars.com confirmed its continued support as Caruth advances in his NASCAR career. The 23-year-old from Washington, D.C., will remain in the No. 88 for the entire playoff stretch, which runs from September through early November.
Hendrick Motorsports Drivers Fill Remaining Races
Hendrick Motorsports drivers will fill the remaining 10 races on the No. 88 schedule. According to HendrickCars.com, William Byron and Kyle Larson will each make three starts. Byron is scheduled to race at Phoenix Raceway on March 7, Kansas Speedway on April 18, and Pocono Raceway on June 13. Larson, the defending Cup Series champion, will drive at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14, Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, and Texas Motor Speedway on May 2.
Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman are each scheduled to make two starts. Bowman’s schedule includes Darlington Raceway on March 21 and Nashville Superspeedway on May 30. Elliott is set to drive at Chicagoland Speedway on July 4 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25.
The full schedule also includes Rockingham Speedway, Watkins Glen International, Naval Base Coronado, Sonoma Raceway, Iowa Speedway, and additional races at Daytona International Speedway and Darlington Raceway, with Caruth listed as the driver.
Team Leaders Explain Goals and Partnership
JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller pointed to the relationship between the two organizations and the team’s owner’s focus in 2026.
“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. Chase, William, Alex, and Kyle all have such a unique history with us, and it’s just a testament to the relationship that we have built with Mr. Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports, and HendrickCars.com that we can bring them all together with Rajah to race for an owner’s championship in 2026.”
Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, said the partnership will strengthen the program and the HendrickCars.com brand in 2026.
“We’re looking forward to our program with JR Motorsports, both on and off the track. Having our four Cup Series drivers join Rajah in the No. 88 provides HendrickCars.com a powerful platform with a championship organization. This team is capable of competing for race wins throughout the 2026 season, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”