Viking Motorsports Overview
Viking Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Founded in 2024, the team is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, a hub of NASCAR team operations. Owned by Don Sackett, the chief executive officer of SciAps Inc., and co-owned by Susanne Moller, Viking Motorsports fields Chevrolet Camaro SS entries and is associated with a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Since its founding, the team has expanded steadily, growing from a single part-time entry into a multi-car operation featuring the No. 96 and No. 99 cars on a full-time basis.
The team fields the No. 96 for Anthony Alfredo and the No. 99 for Parker Retzlaff, both competing full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The full-time lineup, paired with the team’s growing infrastructure, places Viking Motorsports among the newer organizations working to establish a long-term presence in NASCAR’s national ranks. The team’s identity centers on professional operations, modern Chevrolet equipment, and a relationship with Richard Childress Racing that supports engineering and technical development.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Founding and Organizational Origins
Viking Motorsports was created in 2024 by Don Sackett, the chief executive officer of SciAps Inc., a scientific instrumentation company. The team was established to field a competitive entry in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, building its foundation in Mooresville, North Carolina, a region known for its concentration of stock car racing teams, suppliers, and talent. From the outset, the organization focused on pairing skilled drivers with dependable equipment and an expanding operational structure.
At launch, Viking Motorsports relied on a partnership model to enter the series. The team’s first car, the No. 38, was fielded in collaboration with RSS Racing, an established NASCAR team. Under this arrangement, RSS Racing supplied the crew chief, pit crew, and hauler, while Viking Motorsports provided the driver, car, and spotter. The No. 38 was officially entered under RSS Racing, with Viking Motorsports providing sponsorship support. The purse and operational responsibilities were shared between the two teams, allowing Viking Motorsports to begin competing while building its internal capabilities.
Growth Into NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Competition
Viking Motorsports entered the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024 at the Raptor King of Tough 250 at Atlanta, the team’s competitive debut. C. J. McLaughlin was named as the part-time driver of the No. 38 entry on January 12, 2024. After the team failed to qualify for two of the first four races, it skipped the race at Circuit of the Americas and replaced McLaughlin with Matt DiBenedetto for the remainder of the season. This early period allowed the team to refine its race-day operations and evaluate its equipment and personnel.
As the team progressed through its first season, it expanded its competitive footprint. On December 14, 2024, Don Sackett announced that Viking Motorsports would switch its manufacturer affiliation from Ford to Chevrolet and that DiBenedetto would return to drive the renumbered No. 99 car. Two days later, on December 16, 2024, Sackett announced that the team would not form a technical alliance, signaling its intent to grow into a self-sufficient operation. In October 2025, Matt DiBenedetto parted ways with the team and was replaced by Connor Mosack for the final three races of the 2025 season. On November 7, 2025, Viking Motorsports named Parker Retzlaff as the full-time driver of the No. 99 for 2026, and on December 4, 2025, the team announced it would expand to two full-time cars, with Anthony Alfredo named as the full-time driver of the No. 96.
Viking Motorsports Competitive Journey
Viking Motorsports has progressed rapidly from a single part-time collaboration in 2024 to a two-car full-time Chevrolet operation in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Across the team’s first competitive years, it has built a foundation in Chevrolet equipment, developed driver talent, and moved toward a more independent operational structure. The team’s growth reflects steady investment from ownership and a focus on long-term competitiveness within NASCAR’s second-tier national series.
Early Seasons and Development (2024)
The team’s first season began with the No. 38 entry at the Raptor King of Tough 250 in Atlanta, marking Viking Motorsports’ debut. C. J. McLaughlin piloted the car part-time, but the team struggled to qualify for several early events. After a difficult start, the organization brought in Matt DiBenedetto to drive the car for the remainder of 2024. The change provided a more experienced hand behind the wheel and allowed the team to gain valuable track time while operating in partnership with RSS Racing.
The 2024 campaign served as a learning year for Viking Motorsports. With shared resources and a part-time schedule, the team focused on building its internal foundation, evaluating its personnel, and preparing for future growth. The decision to switch manufacturers from Ford to Chevrolet at the end of 2024 marked a significant organizational step, aligning the team with one of NASCAR’s most established manufacturers and positioning it for long-term development.
Breakthrough in O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2025)
The 2025 season represented a turning point for Viking Motorsports, as the team consolidated under the No. 99 with Matt DiBenedetto as its full-time driver. Operating as a Chevrolet team, Viking Motorsports began establishing its own identity on track. DiBenedetto’s experience provided stability for the young organization, and the team’s full-time schedule allowed it to refine its race operations, pit procedures, and technical approach. As the season progressed, the team built a foundation consistent with the standards of established NASCAR operations.
Later in 2025, the team experienced additional change when Matt DiBenedetto departed and Connor Mosack stepped in for the final three races. The transition tested the team’s depth, but it also provided an opportunity to evaluate new talent. By the end of the 2025 season, Viking Motorsports had positioned itself for a significant expansion, with announcements of new driver pairings, an enhanced technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, and a commitment to two full-time Chevrolet entries for the following year.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025-Present)
Viking Motorsports enters its modern era as a two-car Chevrolet operation in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team fields the No. 96 for Anthony Alfredo and the No. 99 for Parker Retzlaff, both on a full-time basis. The driver lineup combines experience with emerging talent, giving the team a balanced approach to its competitive efforts. The organization’s presence in Mooresville, North Carolina, places it among the many NASCAR teams operating in the region’s deep motorsports ecosystem.
The team’s relationship with Richard Childress Racing provides an enhanced technical alliance that supports engineering, fabrication, and race-day preparation. This partnership reflects Viking Motorsports’ commitment to building a competitive infrastructure backed by an established NASCAR organization. Under the leadership of Don Sackett and Susanne Moller, the team has set its sights on long-term growth, with the goal of establishing itself as a consistent contender in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Viking Motorsports’ core identity centers on Chevrolet-powered equipment, professional race-day operations, and a growing technical foundation supported by its alliance with Richard Childress Racing. The team’s strengths lie in driver development, equipment reliability, and the steady expansion of its internal capabilities. With a focus on consistency and continuous improvement, Viking Motorsports aims to build long-term competitiveness rather than rely on short-term results.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Among Viking Motorsports’ most important milestones is its 2024 debut at the Raptor King of Tough 250 in Atlanta, the team’s first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. The organization marked a major transition in late 2024 when it switched from Ford to Chevrolet, and the team achieved another key moment when it announced its expansion to two full-time entries in late 2025. The naming of Anthony Alfredo and Parker Retzlaff as the team’s full-time drivers signals Viking Motorsports’ arrival as a serious multi-car operation.
Viking Motorsports Achievements and Results
As a young team, Viking Motorsports has focused its early efforts on building operational stability and expanding its competitive presence within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Since its founding in 2024, the team has steadily grown its race entries, established manufacturer partnerships, and developed a foundation aimed at long-term results. The team’s verified accomplishments reflect the steady growth expected of a young NASCAR organization building toward sustained competitiveness.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Achievements
Viking Motorsports has competed in 81 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races since its debut, according to verified records. The team is working toward its first race victory and first pole position in the series, both of which remain active goals as the organization continues to expand. With two full-time Chevrolet entries and an enhanced technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, Viking Motorsports is positioned to pursue its first series-level milestones in upcoming seasons.
Conference Achievements
As a single-team operation that has now expanded to two full-time cars, Viking Motorsports has not yet developed conference-level accolades within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team’s focus during its early seasons has been on building infrastructure, expanding its car count, and developing drivers capable of competing at a high level consistently. Future conference-level accomplishments will depend on the team’s continued investment in its race operations and technical capabilities.
Divisional Achievements
Viking Motorsports has not yet recorded divisional championships or divisional title runs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team’s competitive identity is still in development, and its emphasis remains on race-by-race performance, driver consistency, and steady operational growth. Continued expansion and stronger qualifying efforts are likely to shape any future divisional recognition as the team matures.
Series Achievements
Within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Viking Motorsports has recorded zero Drivers’ Championships, zero race victories, and zero pole positions to date. These totals reflect the team’s status as a young organization still in the early stages of its competitive development. With a strengthened driver lineup, manufacturer support, and its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, Viking Motorsports has positioned itself to pursue its first series-level achievements in the seasons ahead.
