Richard Childress Racing alliance is set to reshape the competitive landscape of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series when the 2026 season begins, as Viking Motorsports teams up with RCR to secure technical support and gain a performance edge. The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for Viking, which recently signed Parker Retzlaff for 2026 and now fills the void left after Kaulig Racing’s departure from the RCR alliance on the competitive side.
Viking Motorsports Forges Partnership with RCR
Viking Motorsports has experienced a mix of challenges and successes during its time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, often searching for the stability and resources needed to move up the pecking order. The newly formalized relationship with Richard Childress Racing brings a significant boost, putting the organization in a stronger technical position for the season ahead. As Kaulig Racing ends its long-standing technical alliance with RCR, Viking steps in to take its place in this crucial partnership within the O’Reilly Series.
This transition provides Viking with more than just access to advanced equipment; it also marks a substantial investment in the team’s competitive growth. Smaller organizations like Viking can see marked improvements through such collaborations. The arrival of Parker Retzlaff, a talented young driver still in the developmental phase of his career, also signals a period of rebuilding with high expectations for better equipment and heightened performance.
“Forming this partnership with RCR represents another important step in our mission to continue improving and growing as a competitive team,”
Jeremy Lange, GM of Viking Motorsports, said in a press release.
“Our foundation is built on hard work, teamwork, and determination – and with RCR’s engineering expertise and ECR engines supporting our program, we’re gaining the tools and knowledge to take the next step forward. This partnership truly embodies what it means to be Forged to Race.”
Viking already switched to ECR engines before the formal alliance. Now, the team gains access not only to engine support but also to RCR’s operational infrastructure, dedicated support staff, and the collaborative processes typically available to much larger racing programs.
“RCR’s support network, operational resources, and collaborative processes…”
The Impact on Both Organizations
For Richard Childress Racing, the benefits are also substantial. The end of the Kaulig Racing alliance changes the competitive calculus for RCR, as that partnership historically brought additional data and multiple entries per season—an advantage for development and performance. However, by aligning with Viking, RCR retains its influence and presence across more of the series, while also sharing technology and resources at a level that helps sustain both organizations’ ambitions.
Viking accepts the need to reciprocate by sharing information and fully integrating with RCR’s expectations, a trade-off that’s perceived as beneficial from both competitive and organizational standpoints. The alliance demonstrates a pragmatic approach by both parties to strengthen their respective positions, resolve past on-track rivalries—such as those at Daytona involving Parker Retzlaff—and strive for collective progress.
Richard Childress Racing brings recent successes into the partnership, coming off a championship season with Jesse Love and the consistent wins of Austin Hill in the O’Reilly Series. Parker Retzlaff, meanwhile, has proved capable in previous stints with Jordan Anderson Racing and Alpha Prime Racing, earning pole positions and showing flashes of excellence. The new alliance gives him the best opportunity of his career to deliver lasting results in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 O’Reilly Series
The Richard Childress Racing alliance with Viking Motorsports positions both organizations for heightened competitiveness in the upcoming 2026 season. With Jeremy Lange at the helm as GM and Parker Retzlaff set to drive, Viking aims to capitalize on technical advantages that have lifted many similar teams to new heights. This collaboration reaffirms Viking’s commitment to its founding principles of hard work and determination, now enhanced by RCR’s proven engineering and operational strengths.
As the field prepares for a reshuffled O’Reilly Auto Parts Series grid, the partnership between Richard Childress Racing and Viking not only impacts their immediate performance but also signals a broader trend of resource sharing and strategic alliances in NASCAR. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if this newly forged collaboration produces breakthrough results for Viking and maintains RCR’s reputation for cultivating winning teams and drivers.
