Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s driver secures teammate Connor Zilisch’s key crew member for rookie Xfinity Series campaign

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s upcoming rookie Carson Kvapil has revealed he will pair with his teammate Connor Zilisch's crew chief Andrew Overstreet. Kvapil ran a handful of Xfinity Series races this past season with Overstreet but will now embark on a full-time schedule with him.

Meanwhile, Zilisch's efforts in the #88 Chevy will be managed by Mardy Lindley.

Overstreet will serve as a full-time crew chief for the first time. He was responsible for calling the shots for the #88 JRM Chevy drivers Dale Erarnhardt Jr., Zilisch, Bubba Pollard, Kvapil, and Connor Mosack this past season.

Carson's new crew chief had a noteworthy performance last year. Not only did he earn his first triumph with debutant Connor Zilisch at the Watkins Glen International but has also claimed six top-5s and ten top-10s.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s driver reported the news, saying that Overstreet is a good fit for him as he has previously worked with him.

“Andrew Overstreet is going to be the crew chief. He was [crew chief] for the fifth car, the No. 88, last year with me, Zilisch, Mosack, and Pollard. He’s moving up to full-time crew chief and Mardy [Lindley] is going to be Zilisch’s crew chief,” Kvapil said via Toby Christie.

“I think for me, it’s a good fit. Me and Andrew worked really well together last year, and I felt like we had a pretty good deal going there,” he added.

It's worth mentioning that Zilisch, Kvapil, and Overstreet will run their first-ever full-time NASCAR season.

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Carson Kvapil's prowess landed him a full-time ride with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports

Carson Kvapil, the son of 2003 Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, recently replaced former #1 JRM driver Sam Mayer as the latter moved to the Haas Factory Team for the 2025 Xfinity Series campaign.

While the 21-year-old has scored three top-5s from his nine-race Xfinity Series slate, he has proven himself way more in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour, for JR Motorsports. The upcoming Xfinity rookie has produced promising results in the past three seasons. He claimed four wins to clinch his first Late Model Championship in 2022.

The next year witnessed a surge with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s driver securing five wins and a second consecutive title. This season, Kvapil collected a solitary win and four consecutive top-5s. That said, his prowess in Late Model Stock Car racing and consistent performance in the Xfinity Series made him a promising prospect for a full-time campaign with JRM.