Viking Motorsports — Team Profile
Series: O'Reilly Auto Parts Series | Manufacturer: Chevrolet Organization Tier: Mid-Tier (Expanding)
2026 O'Reilly Program
Viking Motorsports expanded to two full-time cars for 2026 and has produced one of the season's best stories in Parker Retzlaff — who sits ninth in points with a runner-up at Atlanta and a 12.4 average finish from an average starting position of 17.5. Anthony Alfredo brings national-series experience from a 2021 Cup rookie season and has settled into the No. 96 as the program's steady presence.
| Car | Driver | Crew Chief |
|---|---|---|
| No. 99 | Parker Retzlaff | Danny Efland |
| No. 96 | Anthony Alfredo | Josh Graham |
The Organization
Viking Motorsports is a Chevrolet program that has been building its O'Reilly Series presence over several seasons. The 2026 expansion to two full-time cars — anchored by the Retzlaff signing and the reuniting of Alfredo with crew chief Josh Graham — is the clearest statement yet that the organization intends to be a serious mid-tier presence rather than a fringe entry.
2026 Story
Viking's 2026 story is Retzlaff's overperformance. A driver who starts 17th on average and finishes 12th, from a mid-tier team, inside the playoff bubble — that doesn't happen without both talent and organizational execution. The runner-up at Atlanta was evidence that Viking can put together a race that competes with the sport's best programs.
Alfredo's role is different: he's the measuring stick. If Viking is genuinely improving, his results should trend upward. Through eight races he's 16th in points — credible but not yet playoff-caliber. The question for the second half of the season is whether the two-car infrastructure helps both cars get faster, or whether the team's growth has been Retzlaff-specific.
Charlotte: Two Primary Deals in One Day
Heading into the Charbroil 300 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Viking announced primary sponsors for both cars on the same Monday — Dogs by Andy on Anthony Alfredo's No. 96, with Paladin executive protection on the quarter panels, and Free Bird Southern Spring Water on Parker Retzlaff's No. 99 for Charlotte and Bristol. Free Bird also signed on as the team's official water supplier for the entire 2026 O'Reilly Series season. For a Mooresville independent, two primary deals in a single day is the kind of week a top-tier program treats as routine and a mid-tier program treats as a milestone.