Allgaier Leads JRM Top-10 Parade in NOAPS Opener at Daytona

February 16, 2026

Race 1 of 33: United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway
Track Specs: 2.5-mile oval / 120 laps
Race Winner: Austin Hill
Allgaier’s finish: 2nd
Smith’s finish: 5th
Kvapil’s finish: 7th
Caruth’s finish: 10th

Justin Allgaier

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, scored a resilient and hard-fought runner-up finish in the 2026 season-opening NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday evening. Taking the green flag from 13th, Allgaier charged through the field and into the top five, scoring valuable stage points at the conclusion of both Stage One and Stage Two. Then, just after a green-flag pit stop for fuel on lap 85 during the third and final stage, Allgaier was involved in a multi-car incident that caused damage to the left front fender of his BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. Undaunted by the lack of track position following the damage repairs during the subsequent caution, Allgaier rapidly marched forward, racing back into the top five before powering into the second position on the final lap. In the end, Allgaier took the checkered flag in second, just off the rear bumper of race winner Austin Hill.

“This BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet was really strong tonight. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and all the guys on this JR Motorsports team gave me a great car that was able to make moves throughout the pack all night long. WE came close tonight to getting the win, but I’m really proud of our effort and really happy to kick this year off with a great finish like this.”

Sammy Smith

Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet, finished fifth in the first race of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season after overcoming early-race crash damage and fighting from back in the pack following an early-race incident.

Smith qualified 12th for the United Rentals 300 on Saturday afternoon, taking the green flag beside a pair of his JR Motorsports teammates. Stage One was calm for Smith, running in the top 10 until the final lap. He worked his way up to the top three when an incident sent the Iowa native spinning on the low side and causing damage to the left front fender. Crew chief Cory Shea brought the No. 8 down pit road for repairs and felt confident the car would still be competitive. The field took the green for Stage Two, with Smith working his way from the rear of the field. Within 20 laps, the 21-year-old gained nearly 20 positions to find himself in the top 10. JRM teammates then soon found each other and began working together, which saw Smith close out the stage in seventh, tallying avaluable stage points in the process.

Prior to the start of the final stage, Shea made the call to keep Smith on pit road for an extended stop to reinforce the prior repairs. Smith again started from the tail of the field setting him up for a challenge he was prepared to undertake. The JRM driver consistently gained positions as the laps wound down with him just outside the top 10 when the green-flag pit cycle began on lap 92. Smith came in for fuel only on lap 85 and blended back into the field to get back to work. Through several more cautions and restarts, Smith stayed within the top five, lading numerous laps and working with his JRM teammates. After the 120-lap NOAPS event, the driver of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet brought home a solid fifth-place finish to start the season.

“I’m proud of this No. 8 team and how well we rebounded after the early damage. It was a little chaotic on track after that, just getting comfortable with how the car was handling, but we persevered and a top-five finish here is a good start fo the season. Thanks to Pilot, TMC and Allstate Peterbilt for their continued support.”

Carson Kvapil
Carson Kvapil, driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, scored a top-10 finish in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday evening, taking the checkered flag in the seventh position.

Kvapil qualified 11th fot the United Rentals 300, Kvapil quickly worked his way into the top five and came across the line in third by the time the first stage came to a close on lap 30. Crew chief Rodney Childers called for two tires and a chassis adjustment to tighten ip the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. Kvapil liked the adjustment and continued to ride in the top five, finishing the second stage in the runner-up position During the third and final stage, Kvapil found himself within the top five and drafting with his JR Motorsports teammates. Kvapil continued to battle through a series of late-race cautions to bring home a solid top-10 finish.

“We had a strong Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet all day and I can’t thank this team enough for giving me a car capable of winning the race. It feels good to finish in the top 10, but I wish we would have had a little more. We are going to learn and build from this performance and take it to Atlanta next weekend. Thanks to Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops for their continued support. It wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Rajah Caruth

Rajah Caruth battled inside the lead pack throughout Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Series race at Daytona International Speedway before ultimately takeing the checkered flag in the 10th position with his No. 88 HendrickCArs.com Chevrolet. After starting seventh, Caruth stayed near the front for much of the race, working through the draft and maintaining his track position. He finished Stage One in 11th and Stage Two in fifth, positioning himself as a contender heading into the final stage.

Late-race strategy and quick work by crew chief Mardy Lindley kept Caruth in the mix during multiple cautions and restarts. Despite sustaining nose damage in a late incident and making additional pit stops for repairs, Caruth rallied on the final restart to secure a top-10 finish to open the season.

“We had a really fast HendrickCars.com Chevrolet today. The draft was intense, but I felt like we put ourselves in position all day. Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and the team made great calls, and even after the damage, we kept fighting. A top-10 at Daytona is a solid way to start the year, and we’ll keep building from there.”