Viking Motorsports is bringing Anthony Alfredo into its stable for the upcoming season, with the Ridgefield, Connecticut-native getting the nod to pilot the team’s newly-established second entry in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The 26-year-old veteran of more than 150 starts in NASCAR’s second-tier division will pilot the newly minted No. 96 Chevrolet for the entire 33-race campaign in 2026, beginning with the February 14 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Alfredo will be reunited with Joshua Graham for his tenure with Viking Motorsports, the same crew chief he worked with during his second one-year tenure at Our Motorsports in 2024. Graham spent a season working in the NASCAR Truck Series with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2025, collecting a victory at Martinsville with Daniel Hemric.
“I’m fired up to join Viking Motorsports and drive the No. 96 Chevrolet in 2026. Having the chance to work with Josh [Graham] again is something I’m really excited about — we’ve had success together, and I know what we can accomplish as a team,” said Anthony Alfredo. “You can see how much Viking is building and investing in its future. Being part of their expansion to a two-car program is a big opportunity, and I can’t wait to get going.”
The pairing of Alfredo and Graham is designed to kickstart a brand-new entry in the highly competitive O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. A bonus? Graham has also worked with Parker Retzlaff, who was announced in November as the driver of the organization’s flagship No. 99 Chevrolet.
Those inter-team relationships, coupled with the bonus of an increased technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), the defending champions of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, make Viking Motorsports poised for a possible breakout season, in just its second year of independent competition.
“Expanding to a second full-time car is a major moment for our organization. Anthony [Alfredo] brings experience, professionalism, and a tremendous work ethic that aligns perfectly with where Viking Motorsports is heading,” said Don Sackett, owner of Viking Motorsports. “Reuniting him with Josh gives us a strong foundation for this new team. Their chemistry, trust, and history together will help accelerate our growth and elevate our entire program.”
The concept of Viking Motorsports debuted during the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) campaign, when the team partnered with RSS Racing to field the No. 38 with Matt DiBenedetto and CJ McLaughlin behind the wheel. The following season, the team branched off on its own, fielding the No. 99.
In the team’s first independent season fielding an O’Reilly Series entry, the team collected a single top-five and top-10 finish — a fifth-place result at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Matt DiBenedetto and Connor Mosack aided in bringing the No. 99 home 25th in Owner’s Points.
Viking Motorsports will make additional announcements, including primary and associate partners for the No. 96 Chevrolet, in the weeks leading up to the season-opener at Daytona on February 14.
