NASCAR team confirms key technical boost with Richard Childress Racing ahead of 2026 season 

Viking Motorsports has taken a major step in strengthening its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entry, confirming a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. The partnership will give them access to RCR’s engineering network, support systems, and development processes as it prepares for a reshaped 2026 campaign.

The announcement arrives as Viking continues a period of fast internal change. Days after the season ended, the team confirmed Parker Retzlaff as its full-time driver for 2026, paired with new crew chief Danny Efland. Longtime crew chief Pat Tryson moves into a shop-leadership role at Mooresville.

The strengthened alliance with RCR becomes the next phase in that rebuild. Viking will continue running ECR Engines while gaining access to RCR’s technical insight, simulation tools, and established competitive template. In the team statement announcing the deal, Viking Motorsports general manager Jeremy Lange described the partnership as foundational to their long-term vision.

“Forming this partnership with RCR represents another important step in our mission to continue improving and growing as a competitive team,” Lange said. “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.”

Richard Childress Racing’s leadership echoed that sentiment. Danny Lawrence, Vice President of Alliance Operations and Director of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program, emphasized that the collaboration aligns with RCR’s approach to competitive development.

“We’re proud to work with Viking Motorsports and help provide many of the same resources that have contributed to RCR’s long-term success in motorsports,” Lawrence said. “We look forward to seeing Viking Motorsports continue to grow stronger and more competitive each week.”

RCR has two entries in the feeder series, with Jesse Love - the 2025 champion - in the No. 2 Chevrolet and Austin Hill in the No. 21.

Matt DiBenedetto (99 Viking Motorsports) and Austin Hill (#21 Richard Childress Racing) at Rockingham Speedway. Source: Getty

The announcement shows the intent of Viking Motorsports after a difficult 2025 campaign. With a new driver, a new crew chief, and now expanded technical support from one of NASCAR’s longest-running operations, the offseason becomes a reset point for the team as it prepares for the newly branded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in February.

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Richard Childress Racing begins its 2026 rebuild as Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon reset for next season

Austin Dillon (L) and Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing at the Clash at the Coliseum. Source: Getty

The Viking Motorsports-RCR alliance comes at a moment when Richard Childress Racing is also reshaping its internal structure for 2026. After back-to-back winless seasons for Kyle Busch, the No. 8 Chevrolet will be led by crew chief Jim Pohlman, who arrives from JR Motorsports. Andy Street closed out the final five races of 2025 atop the No. 8 pit box after Randall Burnett’s departure, but Pohlman’s arrival represents a full reset intended to stabilize Busch’s performance.

Busch ends the year 21st in points and the lowest full-season finish of his career, with only three top fives and a 17.9 average finish. His closing top-5 run at Phoenix provided a small lift heading into the offseason, and he noted that the team’s winter approach will start with strengthening communication around the new leadership.

“I think this offseason will be different just based off of trying to build some camaraderie and some time with Jim,” Busch told NASCAR.com. “Being able to spend some time with him and just kind of figure things out and what makes him tick, and obviously ways of things of what makes me tick and getting on the same page to start our season.”

Austin Dillon, meanwhile, delivered one of Richard Childress Racing’s highlights of the season with his surprise victory at Richmond that secured his playoff berth. Though he exited in the first round and failed to record a top-ten finish in the postseason, he remains confident entering 2026.

With Viking Motorsports strengthening its ties to Richard Childress Racing, both organizations enter the 2026 season looking for a measurable step forward as NASCAR returns with the Cook Out Clash on February 1.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam