New Horizons: Hartlaub Joins Forces with O’Brien and Wagaman to Launch JTK Motorsports

Kody Hartlaub, Jimmy O’Brien, and Timmy Wagaman will establish a new 410 sprint car team—JTK Motorsports—beginning immediately.  

The new team will be spearheaded by a co-owner group built around relationships, chemistry, and a shared commitment to the fundamentals—while keeping Hartlaub focused on the one thing that matters most: driving.  Jimmy O’Brien (J Fuels) and Timmy Wagaman (Freedom Offroad) will anchor the team.

“This whole situation has shown me just how fortunate I am to have such great people around me,” Hartlaub said. “When everything changed, it wasn’t, ‘That sucks, let’s find you a ride.’ Instead, Jimmy O’Brien and Timmy Wagaman immediately said, ‘Let’s build something better.’”

“The funny thing is, Jimmy and Timmy had never even met each other before,” Hartlaub continued. “We got together for what was supposed to be a quick meeting, and within minutes it was obvious that everyone was in this for the right reasons. What was planned as a short discussion turned into a couple of hours of ideas, laughs, and excitement.  We have our team in place, with Stephen Hamm-Reilly and Justin Reese turning the wrenches. I’m excited about what we can build together.”

Hartlaub noted that his partners and sponsors have chosen to stay committed to the effort. “I think it says a lot that my sponsors chose to stay with me as well. Their loyalty and belief in what we’re doing means more than I can put into words.”

He added, “There will be challenges along the way, but this team is made up of people who believe in pushing forward, working hard, and finding a way to succeed. That’s the foundation we’re building on, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

O’Brien and Wagaman will serve as co-owners, providing the equipment and program support needed to keep the operation moving and ready for race-day performance.

“Team ownership wasn’t originally a plan, but when Kody’s deal fell apart, I said we will never be in this situation again—this is an opportunity,” O’Brien said. “Kody really wants to race with Steven and Justin. I love Kody and his family, and I wanted to continue building what we started and have fun racing.”

Wagaman said the goal is to create the right environment for Hartlaub to keep progressing. “We want to give Kody the opportunity to clear his head and drive,” Wagaman said. “We have cars, a mule, parts, and good quality stuff—this group of people complements each other and brings different things to the table, all while having the same mindset. I have no time for drama—we want to build something together and have fun doing it.”

JTK Motorsports will be built around long-term chemistry between the driver, co-owners, and the crew team—while continuing to prioritize race readiness and performance each time Hartlaub steps into the cockpit.

The team will compete in the Steve Smith Sr. Tribute race with Hartlaub. Additional events will be announced if circumstances allow, but the team is not currently planning on any other 2026 outings.  The primary focus is on preparing for the 2027 season.

Crew Chief Stephen Hamm-Reilly and Car Chief Justin Reese will remain with Hartlaub as part of the new JTK Motorsports operation. Hamm-Reilly and Reese will focus on building, maintaining, and preparing a fast race car each time Hartlaub climbs behind the wheel.

From 2015-2025, Hamm-Reilly raced for a living, mostly on the road and sometimes back home in Pennsylvania, before pairing with Kody Hartlaub in September 2025. Hamm-Reilly and Justin Reese have known each other for a long time and are good friends, adding to the natural chemistry of the team.

“Hartlaub’s qualifying abilities are impressive given the limited number of 410 sprint car races he has under his belt,” Hamm-Reilly said. “For his level of experience, he’s ahead of some in certain phases of the sport, while he needs to polish some of the nuances in other phases. We set goals as a team because producing more top-10 finishes leads to more top-five finishes, more podium finishes, and eventually wins. The mental part of the game is important for every team member, and this group is in a great position collectively. Jimmy, Timmy, the sponsors, and everyone believe in each other and feel there’s a confidence and chemistry that can be capitalized on.”

The design and car number for JTK Motorsports will be announced when finalized.

Fans can follow the team and Hartlaub at KodyHartlaub.com and Kody Hartlaub Racing on Facebook for the latest updates.