Viking Motorsports announces Richard Childress Racing alliance for O'Reilly Series

Ahead of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Viking Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing have struck an alliance. Viking signed Parker Retzlaff for the 2026 season. Now, we know where the technical support will come from.

Viking Motorsports has had an up-and-down tenure in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Having an alliance with Richard Childress Racing is a big deal. Kaulig Racing is no longer partnered with RCR on the competition side of things. So, Viking has filled that spot in the O’Reilly Series.

Alliances like this for small teams like Viking are a big deal. It can take your performance from average to above average rather quickly. This also means that Parker Retzlaff is likely to be in the best equipment he’s been in so far in his career. A promising young driver who is still developing, I’m interested to see how this works out.

“Forming this partnership with RCR represents another important step in our mission to continue improving and growing as a competitive team,” Jeremy Lange, GM of Viking Motorsports, said in a press release. “Our foundation is built on hard work, teamwork, and determination – and with RCR’s engineering expertise and ECR engines supporting our program, we’re gaining the tools and knowledge to take the next step forward. This partnership truly embodies what it means to be Forged to Race.”

Viking Motorsports was already using ECR engines. Now, they have access to “RCR’s support network, operational resources, and collaborative processes…” While perhaps not the flashiest news, alliances like this matter.

Richard Childress Racing replaces Kaulig with Viking

For Richard Childress Racing, the alliance is also beneficial. It was perhaps better when it was with Kaulig Racing, just because of the caliber of that program and drivers, and being a two-to-three car program most years. That’s more data and information for RCR, too.

Viking Motorsports is going to get a lot from RCR, but they are also going to have to give up everything, too. Not a bad trade to make if you are in their position, but that’s what makes it work for Childress and that organization. Also, must not be too many hard feelings about Retzlaff and that 2024 Daytona race finish, because he’s essentially in the RCR camp now.

Richard Childress Racing is coming off a championship season with Jesse Love. Austin Hill is a perennial winner in the O’Reilly Series. Retzlaff has been able to qualify for pole awards at Jordan Anderson Racing and has had flashes of great races with Alpha Prime Racing. This opportunity at Viking should produce even more impressive results.