INDIANAPOLIS — Carson Kvapil earned his first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory, holding off veteran Justin Allgaier in the closing laps of the Pennzoil 250 on Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 23-year-old from Mooresville, North Carolina, took the lead from Ross Chastain with 22 laps remaining and never looked back, despite mounting pressure from his JR Motorsports teammate.
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As Kvapil navigated lapped traffic in the closing laps, Allgaier worked his way around Chastain with seven laps to go to move into second. The defending series champion steadily closed the gap but was never able to make a move on the leader. Kvapil maintained a lead of a few car lengths and crossed the finish line first to secure his maiden NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory.
“It means the world to me,” Kvapil said in a post-race interview with The CW Sports. “It’s very emotional. I rode around on that lap backwards and just sat there and thought about all the hard work I put in, me and my dad, Travis, to get to this point.”
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
The pace car leads the field of drivers onto the track Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
The pace car leads the field of drivers onto the track Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Drivers move into the first turn Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Drivers move around the track Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Drivers move out of pit lane Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Drivers move down the front straight Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Mason Maggio (91) signs autographs for fans Saturday, July 25, 2026, ahead of the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Chase Elliott (88) takes a photograph with a fan Saturday, July 25, 2026, ahead of the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Austin Hill (21) signs autographs for fans Saturday, July 25, 2026, ahead of the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Rajah Caruth (32) signs autographs for fans Saturday, July 25, 2026, ahead of the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Justin Allgaier (7) signs autographs for fans Saturday, July 25, 2026, ahead of the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Austin Groher, right, holds his son Brock Groher, 4, ahead of the brick walk Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Christina Owens, left, her daughter, Caleigh Owens, 7, and Cody Owens, right, talk with Kenneth Taborn, center, during the brick walk Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Brennan Poole fist bumps fans during the brick walk before the Penzoil 250 Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Garrett Smithley, right, signs Caleigh Owens’ “Brickyard 400 sign” during the brick walk Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Drivers sign memorabilia ahead of the brick walk Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
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Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Brickyard 400 weekend photos
Pam Rose holds her daughter’s, Misty Rose’s, Gasoline Alley sign after the brick walk Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Cara Penquite/IndyStar)
“I knew we were gonna get one and I’m just hoping we can chase some more towards the end,” Kvapil said. “I just can’t believe it, it’s been a lot of races and a lot of hours of work to building towards this.”
JR Motorsports dominated the afternoon, sweeping the top four finishing positions with Kvapil leading Allgaier, Chastain and Chase Elliott to the checkered flag. It marked the first time in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series history that a single organization finished first through fourth.
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The victory was especially meaningful for JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who became emotional while reflecting on Kvapil’s breakthrough.
“This has been a long time coming. He’s like a son almost,” Earnhardt Jr. said while fighting back tears. “You know, you work with these guys for so long … you just want them to have success.
“I’m just so, so happy for him.”
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to theYouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Dale Earnhardt Jr. battles tears as Carson Kvapil wins NASCAR O’Reilly Series race at IMS
