Anthony Alfredo is set to join Viking Motorsports for the NASCAR 2026 season, bringing renewed energy and talent to the team’s alliance with Richard Childress Racing. This move gives Alfredo a promising seat in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, positioning both him and Viking Motorsports for potentially strong results next year.
Alfredo Takes the Wheel for Viking’s New Team
Viking Motorsports enters the 2026 season with exciting changes, fielding two teams in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Parker Retzlaff will drive the lead No. 99 Chevy, while Anthony Alfredo will take up his role in the newly formed No. 96 entry. The organization recently forged a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, strengthening their position within the series. Jordan Anderson Racing is also involved in this burgeoning partnership, broadening the resources available to Viking’s teams.
This transition marks a significant chapter for Alfredo, who has previously raced with Our Motorsports, BJ McLeod, and Young’s Motorsports over the last four years. His performances included overall finishes of 15th, 20th, 15th, and most recently, 24th place. While his stint at Young’s Motorsports in 2025 was challenging, with the car lacking the pace to compete at the front, Alfredo’s determination and skill remain assets. Now, at age 26, he is poised to make the most of the opportunity with Viking, especially as he returns to ties with Richard Childress Racing.
Alfredo is also respected for his work as a simulator driver with Hendrick Motorsports. His technical acumen and adaptability on the simulator have made him a valued contributor behind the scenes, and these skills are expected to transfer directly to his on-track performance with the No. 96 team.
Official Announcement and Leadership at Viking Motorsports
The team made its plans clear with an official announcement:
“We’re expanding! @anthonyalfredo will pilot the number 96 for Viking Motorsports full time in 2026 with crew chief Josh Graham! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/qA9A5XchpL”— Viking Motorsports (@VKNGMotorsports)
This pairing with seasoned crew chief Josh Graham is intended to provide Alfredo with the support necessary to extract the most from Viking’s resources. The team’s expansion signals a step forward, both in ambition and capability, as they aim to be competitive throughout the year.
Learning from Recent Seasons: Alfredo’s Path Back
The 2025 campaign tested Alfredo’s resilience. His car frequently struggled to match the competition’s performance, and he managed only a single top-10 finish that year. In contrast, his 2024 results, while driving for Our Motorsports, revealed a driver able to consistently push underdog teams higher than expected in the standings. That stretch of performance remains a promising benchmark for what Alfredo and Viking can achieve together in 2026.
Viking Motorsports, too, has weathered challenges. Matt DiBenedetto previously spent two seasons in their ranks, contributing top-10 finishes at Talladega, Iowa, and Michigan. However, a string of four consecutive DNFs hampered his campaign last year, illustrating the importance of consistency for the organization’s future success.
Potential for a Dynamic Driver Duo
With both Parker Retzlaff and Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel, Viking Motorsports is assembling a youthful and promising pair of drivers for the 2026 season. Observers note that Viking’s lineup is rich with unrealized potential, provided the drivers execute consistently and keep incidents to a minimum.
Retzlaff, in particular, has developed a knack for quick qualifying sessions, extracting significant one-lap speed from his cars. By pairing his qualifying ability with Alfredo’s steadiness and technical knowledge, the team could form a balanced and effective combination. The two drivers stand to benefit from one another’s experience—Retzlaff’s raw pace and Alfredo’s methodical approach—to give Viking Motorsports a competitive advantage as the season unfolds.
Alfredo’s return to an RCR-affiliated program is notable. Having previously run a part-time campaign with Richard Childress Racing in 2020 and collecting several top-10s (though not a victory), he is familiar with precisely the kind of support and power Viking hopes to harness in 2026. The question now is whether Alfredo can recapture that ECR-provided speed and convert it into regular strong finishes this time around.
What This Move Means for Viking Motorsports and NASCAR
The addition of Anthony Alfredo to Viking’s lineup for the NASCAR 2026 campaign revitalizes the team’s competitiveness and brings increased attention to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. With their alliance with Richard Childress Racing and the strategic involvement of key personnel like crew chief Josh Graham, Viking Motorsports is positioning itself as an organization determined to advance in the standings and vie for strong results against established teams.
If Alfredo can find his stride in the No. 96 Chevy and blend his consistency with Retzlaff’s raw speed, Viking Motorsports could emerge as one of the most improved teams of the year. NASCAR fans and competitors alike will be watching as the 2026 season unfolds to see if this revamped duo can exceed expectations and drive the team towards new heights in the highly competitive world of stock car racing.
We’re expanding! @anthonyalfredo will pilot the number 96 for Viking Motorsports full time in 2026 with crew chief Josh Graham! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/qA9A5XchpL
— Viking Motorsports (@VKNGMotorsports) December 4, 2025
