Jackson Tovo Lands Nitro Motorsports TA2 Ride For 2026
The Trans Am Series is one of the most grueling proving grounds in American motorsport. It’s loud, it’s aggressive, and it doesn’t forgive mistakes. That is exactly where Jackson Tovo, affectionately known in the paddock as “Jovo,” is headed for the 2026 season.
In a move that signals serious intent for the upcoming year, Nitro Motorsports confirmed on Wednesday that it has signed the rising talent to its powerhouse TA2 program. Seems like a pivotal move, right?
For those who have been watching the development ladder closely, this feels like the right time for the jump. Tovo isn’t coming into this blind. He’s stepping into a high-horsepower environment after cutting his teeth in disciplines that require precision and patience.
Jovo Makes the Leap to Big Horsepower
The transition to the TA2 class is a significant milestone in any young driver’s career. These are full-bodied, tube-frame beasts that require a driver to manage tire wear and wrestle the car around the track, a far cry from the dynamics of lower-tier machinery.
Tovo competed in the 2025 Toyota GR Cup North America season. That series is known for its intense, bumper-to-bumper action, and Tovo held his own. Over the course of 14 starts, he tallied four top-10 finishes, proving he can navigate traffic and keep the car clean when the pressure mounts.
His best runs of the year came at arguably two of the most difficult circuits on the calendar: Virginia International Raceway and Road America. Bringing home seventh-place finishes at those “driver’s tracks” speaks volumes about his car control.
Before the GR Cup, Jovo was honing his racecraft in the F1600 Championship Series, where he finished sixth in the 2024 standings. That open-wheel background gives him a fundamental understanding of mechanical grip and corner speed tools he will desperately need when wrangling a heavy TA2 machine.
A Family Affair at Nitro Motorsports
Perhaps the most compelling storyline of this signing is the reunion it creates within the Nitro Motorsports garage. Jackson will be racing alongside his twin brother, Ethan Tovo.In the world of motorsports, teammates are often your biggest rivals, but the dynamic changes when that teammate is your brother.
Jackson expressed genuine enthusiasm about the pairing in the team’s official release, noting that racing with Ethan is something they’ve done before and are eager to do again. Having a sibling on the same team offers a unique data-sharing advantage.
Drivers are notoriously guarded about their braking points and throttle traces, but that barrier usually lowers between brothers. This could accelerate Jovo’s learning curve as he adapts to the new platform.
The Nitro Development Philosophy
Nitro Motorsports Co-Owner Nick Tucker sees the potential in Jackson Tovo that goes beyond just lap times. In this sport, speed gets you in the door, but work ethic keeps you in the seat.“Jackson has grown tremendously over the last couple of seasons, and stepping into TA2 is the natural next move for his development,” Tucker noted.
He emphasized Tovo’s attitude and approach, suggesting that Jackson’s presence will strengthen the overall program. When a team owner says a driver “guiding” them through a phase of their career, it suggests a long-term belief in their ceiling as a professional.
Maintaining the Late Model Grind
One of the smartest moves a developing driver can make is to diversify their seat time. Tovo isn’t putting all his eggs in the road racing basket. He confirmed he will continue his relationship with Toyota and Lee Faulk Racing in the Late Model Series.
Late Models teach drivers how to manage momentum and provide a different style of close-quarters racing compared to road courses. By splitting his time between the precision of road racing and the physicality of Late Models, Jovo is building a resume that looks attractive to manufacturers and higher-level teams down the road.
Local Roots and Community Partnerships
Modern racing requires more than just talent. It requires partners who believe in the vision. Tovo is bringing a unique partner along for the ride: 77 Grounds Coffee. This isn’t a nameless corporate entity. It’s a local, dog-friendly coffee shop based in Davidson, North Carolina.
Owners Madalyn and Sean Hutchinson spoke passionately about backing Jackson, viewing the partnership as a way to integrate their local business into the broader Nitro Motorsports family. It is refreshing to see community-level support fueling a driver’s ascent on the national stage.
Eyes on Sebring
The calendar is already circling late February. The 2026 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli kicks off February 26 at the legendary Sebring International Raceway. However, the work begins sooner than that. Jovo and the Nitro crew will head to the bumpy Florida circuit on January 21-22 for preseason testing.
Those two days in January will be critical. It will be the first real test of how quickly Jackson Tovo can adapt to the TA2 car’s power and how well he meshes with Nitro Motorsports’ infrastructure. If his trajectory over the last two years is any indicator, Jovo is ready for the challenge.
