MOORESVILLE, N.C. — JR Motorsports has renewed its partnership with Bass Pro Shops in a prominent way for 2023.Â
Bass Pro Shops will return to JRM in a multi-faceted capacity with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Josh Berry and Carson Kvapil. The trio will compete in multiple racing series with partnership from the outdoor and conservation company founded by noted conservationist Johnny Morris.
The bolstered program kicks off on Nov. 19 with a dose of Earnhardt family nostalgia in late model action at Florence Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt Jr. will return to his roots by driving a No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet that pays homage to the special gold version Dale Earnhardt Sr. raced during the Cup Series All-Star event in 1998. Earnhardt Jr. broke the news on his participation last week on the Dale Jr. Download podcast and unveiled the throwback paint scheme today at the Bass Pro Shops in Concord, N.C., alongside Berry, Kvapil and JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
Earnhardt Jr.’s inclusion in the Florence race marks only his second late model event since 1997.
Earlier this year, he drove to a third-place finish in a CARS Tour event at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“We’re excited for Bass Pro Shops to continue their partnership with JR Motorsports,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We’ve had a lot of success together with Bass Pro Shops over the years, and that’s been a big part in seeing this partnership evolve. I can’t say enough about what it means to have Johnny and Bass Pro involved on so many levels with us. The JRM Bass Pro Chevrolets will be at a lot of different race tracks in 2023, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
Bass Pro Shops will continue to have a major presence with JRM in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
In 2023, the company will have 11 primary paint schemes with Berry and the No. 8 team. Berry is a five-time NXS winner and a solid title contender, currently one of only four drivers to qualify for this week’s Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 5).
Adding to the NXS excitement, Earnhardt Jr. will race alongside Berry in a to-be-determined NXS race with the No. 88 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in a fifth JRM entry for the event.
Finally, JRM’s rising star Carson Kvapil — the recently crowned 2022 CARS Tour champion and winner of four late model races so far this season — will carry Bass Pro Shops livery in 20 late model events across the Southeast in 2023.
Kvapil, a 19-year-old native of Mooresville, N.C., is in the midst of a standout season. He won the prized Old North State Nationals at Caraway Speedway and the prestigious Racetrack Revival 200 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in August.
“We are very proud and excited to continue and expand our long-standing alliance with Dale Jr., his sister Kelley and the entire Earnhardt family at JR Motorsports,” Morris said. “This partnership celebrates our customers, and especially our CLUB Members, by recognizing the impact they have on conservation by being members of the program.
“We are uniting our customers and industry partners with leading conservation organizations to collectively help shape the future of the great outdoors and all who love it for generations to come.”
The paint scheme for all three cars in 2023 will highlight Bass Pro Shops Conservation CLUB Card.