Ex-NASCAR Cup Series driver joins new expanded team for 2026 – Motorsport – Sports

Anthony Alfredo will drive the second Viking Motorsports car in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the upcoming campaign, which is the team’s sophomore year in the series.

While the Cup Series is preoccupied with the drama concerning the lawsuit between 23XI and NASCAR, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — formerly known as the Xfinity Series — is overseeing significant updates. Viking Motorsports has moved to field a second entry in the series, and Alfredo has got the call.

He will race alongside Viking’s No. 99 Chevrolet, which will be driven by Parker Retzlaff in 2026. Alfredo will be behind the wheel of the No. 96 for the whole 33-race campaign, which begins in Daytona on Feb. 14.

The 26-year-old will team back up with crew chief Joshua Graham. The duo worked together at Our Motorsports in 2024, and Alfredo is excited to get going. 

“It means a lot to be a part of the growing program here at Viking Motorsports,” Alfredo said in his announcement. “They’re really setting a precedence of being a competitive team, and I’m proud to be a part of it. 

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“The expectation heading into 2026 is certainly to be competitive and make the playoffs — that’s our ultimate goal, and we’re going to need to win races and run up front to do that, and I’m really looking forward to that challenge.”

On his partnership with Graham, Alfredo added: “I’m really excited to be working with Josh Graham again as my crew chief, because him and I certainly punched above our weight with a smaller program, and now that we have a lot more resources and support, I feel like we’re going to be able to apply all that to do an even better job and help each other succeed.”

Alfredo took to social media to share the announcement along with the caption: “As soon as Viking reached out, I knew this was my shot. They are doing all the right things to build a competitive program. I’m thrilled to have Josh back on the box for me, too. Time to capitalize on this opportunity.”

In the Cup Series, Alfredo has made 41 starts and secured two top-10 finishes alongside a pole position. But he is a veteran of the second-tier series, making 148 starts with five top-5 finishes and 23 top-10s. 

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Alfredo will look to secure his first win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as he drives for Viking Motorsports.