On Friday, Parker Retzlaff was officially introduced as the driver of Viking Motorsports’ No. 99 Chevrolet for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. Along with Retzlaff, Viking Motorsports has acquired Danny Efland as Retzlaff’s crew chief.
Related: 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver | Team Chart
Efland had served in the same role with the No. 25 AM Racing team and driver Harrison Burton in 2025, a season where Efland was a full-time crew chief for the first time and Burton made it into the Playoffs.
Don Sackett, the team owner of the Viking Motorsports operation, feels the youthful exuberance of Retzlaff behind the wheel, and the technical knowledge of Efland will be a potent pairing for the No. 99 team in 2026.
“Parker brings youthful energy, talent, and a hunger to win that aligns perfectly with our Viking spirit. Danny’s technical expertise and leadership will strengthen our team in the race shop and at the track. Together, they represent the next evolution of Viking Motorsports as we continue to build a program that’s truly Forged to Race,” Sackett said.
Retzlaff, 22, spent the 2025 season as the driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing. The driver, who announced he would be parting ways with Alpha Prime Racing earlier this week, is excited for the opportunity with the revamped Viking Motorsports squad.
“Joining Viking Motorsports feels like the perfect fit,” Retzlaff explained. “You can feel the passion and drive this team has from top to bottom. The No. 99 Chevy has huge potential, and I’m ready to give everything I’ve got for Don, Danny, and the whole Viking family. We’re going to fight hard every week.”
While the Wisconsin native has yet to visit victory lane in NASCAR’s second-tier series, Retzlaff came as close as you can come without winning this past season. In NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway, Retzlaff recorded a runner-up finish for Alpha Prime Racing.
Over the course of 107 career starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Retzlaff has notched four top-five finishes, 15 top-10s, and two poles.
Efland, 37, was a former NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitor in his own right, as he competed in 63 races in the series from 2007 to 2013. Efland’s experience as a driver, race engineer, and crew chief has primed him for a chance to shine with Viking Motorsports in 2026.
“I’m excited to join this team and work with Parker to bring the No. 99 program to the next level,” Efland said. “There’s a real sense of purpose and pride in everything they do. We’re ready to dig in, refine our cars, and keep pushing toward the front.”
Pat Tryson, who served as the team’s crew chief in 2025, will transition into a role where he’ll oversee the team’s shop operations in Mooresville, NC.
