Driver Shuffle at Pocono
The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series is set to return to Pocono Raceway this weekend, and JR Motorsports will field a fifth entry alongside its usual lineup, promising fresh competition on the 2.5‑mile triangular track.
Carson Kvapil, currently seventh in the championship standings, will drive the No. 9 Chevrolet for the Pocono event, swapping seats with Ross Chastain, who captured his most recent victory in that car at Charlotte Motor Speedway three weeks ago.
Chastain’s win at Charlotte marked his first series triumph since July 2019, but he will not be part of the additional car for the remainder of the season, allowing Kvapil to bring his consistent top‑five form to the track.
Kvapil, who has logged eight top‑10 finishes this year, including four inside the top five, enters the race with a 106‑point cushion above the playoff cut line, underscoring the significance of the extra slot for his championship push.
Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch, a 2026 rookie, will take the wheel of the No. 1 Chevrolet for his seventh start of the season, having already tasted victory at Bristol Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International earlier in the year.
In the No. 88 Chevrolet, William Byron replaces Kyle Larson, adding another layer of driver movement for the team as the series heads into its next stage.
The race will be broadcast live on the CW Network beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, giving fans across the United States a chance to follow the action in real time.