Driver Directory
Grand National Today covers drivers across three levels of stock car racing: the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NASCAR's second-tier national series), the CARS Tour (the premier regional touring series), and the Virginia Triple Crown (the crown jewel of Late Model Stock Car racing in the Southeast). This directory provides a quick reference to the drivers we cover most frequently.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Drivers
Justin Allgaier (#7, JR Motorsports) — 2024 OARS champion. Leads the 2026 standings with three wins in seven races — the dominant driver of the season. Also running select Cup races.
Jesse Love (#2, Richard Childress Racing) — 2025 OARS champion defending his title. Currently 2nd in 2026 points. Sponsored by Whelen Engineering.
Sheldon Creed (#00, Haas Factory Team) — Former NASCAR Truck Series champion. Won at Atlanta in 2026. Full-time competitor.
Austin Hill (#21, Richard Childress Racing) — Won the 2026 season opener at Daytona. Veteran competitor.
Carson Kvapil (#1, JR Motorsports) — Two-time CARS Tour champion (2022, 2023) who graduated to the OARS full-time. Shares the #1 car with Connor Zilisch for select events.
Sammy Smith (#8, JR Motorsports) — Full-time competitor and consistent points contender.
Corey Day (#17, Hendrick Motorsports) — Part of Hendrick's first full OARS program since 2006. 7th in 2026 points.
Brandon Jones (#20, Joe Gibbs Racing) — Veteran OARS competitor with years of experience at the national level.
Rajah Caruth (#88, JR Motorsports) — Full-time competitor. Shares select starts with Cup drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson.
William Sawalich (#18, Joe Gibbs Racing) — Young talent in the JGR pipeline. Full-time OARS competitor.
Brent Crews (#19, Joe Gibbs Racing) — 17-year-old prospect. Eligibility restricted on larger ovals early in the season.
Harrison Burton (#24, Sam Hunt Racing) — Returned to OARS in 2026 after a Cup Series tenure.
Sam Mayer (#41, Haas Factory Team) — Full-time competitor.
Shane van Gisbergen (part-time) — New Zealand native, 2023 Supercars champion. Won at COTA in 2026. Makes select OARS starts while competing in the Cup Series.
Connor Zilisch (#1, JR Motorsports, part-time) — 19-year-old phenom. Full-time Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, select OARS starts with JRM. CARS Tour graduate and the most talked-about young driver in NASCAR.
CARS Tour Drivers
Caden Kvapil (#88, JR Motorsports) — 2026 LMSC points leader after two races. Won the season opener at Southern National, charging from 29th to 1st. Younger brother of Carson Kvapil.
Conner Jones — 2026 race winner at Wake County Speedway (Race 2). Four career CARS Tour LMSC victories. Championship contender.
Landen Lewis — 2025 LMSC champion defending his title. Made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at St. Petersburg with Niece Motorsports in 2026.
Lee Pulliam — One of the greatest short-track drivers of his generation. Two-time Virginia Triple Crown champion (2015, 2019) and six-time South Boston 200 winner. Still competing in CARS Tour events and made his NASCAR OARS debut at Martinsville in March 2026.
Sam Butler — Consistent front-runner and 2026 championship contender.
Brenden Queen — 2024 CARS Tour LMSC champion. Virginia-based driver.
Virginia Triple Crown Contenders
Peyton Sellers — Five-time Virginia Triple Crown champion (2013, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2024). The most dominant driver in VTC history and the all-time winningest competitor in the series.
Connor Hall — Defending 2025 Virginia Triple Crown champion. Broke Peyton Sellers' run with a strong three-race performance.
Bobby McCarty — 2021 Virginia Triple Crown champion. One of the most versatile Late Model drivers in the Southeast.
Lee Pulliam — Two-time VTC champion (2015, 2019). Remains competitive at the top level of short-track racing.
Timothy Peters — 2017 VTC champion. Former NASCAR Truck Series regular with extensive Martinsville Speedway experience.
This directory is updated as the 2026 season progresses. Drivers may appear in multiple sections as they compete across series.