Top NASCAR Prospect Tests O’Reilly Series Car

What’s Happening?

A new social media post from Richard Childress Racing prospect Carson Brown is gaining attention as it seems to show the young driver testing a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series car at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

• Brown posted this short clip to his social media on Wednesday morning. While he did not expand on the context of the clip, most fans deduced that the 17-year-old was testing an OAP Series car for RCR.
• If this is the case, this is a major development in the OAP Series Silly Season, as RCR has one, if not two, seats open for 2027. Of course, that’s not to say that Brown, who turns 18 on July 13, could be prepping for part-time action later this season.
• Brown signed his developmental deal with RCR in November. As part of his development, Brown has made select starts with Pinnacle Racing Group in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East this season.
• In his four ARCA starts, Brown has four top-five finishes and a win at Phoenix. In his three ARCA East starts (including one crossover with the main ARCA tour), he has failed to find victory lane, but continues to have solid finishes.
• Per NASCAR’s new rules for 2026, Brown could race in the OAP Series on road courses and oval tracks 1.25 miles or shorter before his 18th birthday. But, with his 18th coming up soon, RCR may not have been in any rush to get him behind the wheel before then.

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