ANTHONY ALFREDO EARNS 10TH TOP-10 FINISH OF SEASON AT TALLADEGA

Strong Qualifying Effort and Another Consistent Performance Highlight Continued Progress for Viking Motorsports

TALLADEGA, Ala. (October 25, 2026) — Anthony Alfredo reached another milestone in his 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign Saturday afternoon, driving the No. 96 DUDE Wipes Dumpkin Spice Chevrolet to a 10th-place finish in The Progress Group 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. The performance marked Alfredo's 10th top-10 finish of the season and further showed the progress he and Viking Motorsports have made in their first year together.

For Alfredo and the growing Viking Motorsports organization, the result represented another encouraging performance against some of NASCAR's most established teams. In a highly competitive field, Alfredo once again showed the speed and consistency that have become increasingly evident in the second half of the season.

The weekend began with an impressive qualifying effort as Alfredo secured the seventh starting position, placing the No. 96 Chevrolet among the fastest cars in the field. With Talladega's high-speed drafting conditions presenting both opportunities and challenges, maintaining track position and avoiding trouble would be critical throughout the 94-lap event.

Alfredo remained competitive during the opening stage before working his way into the top 10 in Stage 2. He crossed the line ninth, earning two valuable stage points while keeping his Chevrolet in position for a strong finish.

As the race entered its final stage, intensity rose as drivers searched for drafting partners and chances to advance. Alfredo was running seventh at the end of Lap 63 and stayed in contention as the field prepared for the closing laps.

The afternoon featured four cautions covering 20 laps, including a multicar incident on the frontstretch and a later debris caution that interrupted the field's momentum. Alfredo successfully navigated the changing circumstances, keeping the No. 96 Chevrolet out of trouble and on the lead lap.

With one lap remaining, Alfredo ran eighth, but the shifting draft reshuffled the field during the final circuit. He ultimately crossed the finish line 10th, completed all 94 laps, and secured another solid result for Viking Motorsports.

Sammy Smith won with a dramatic final-lap pass, edging Carson Kvapil by just 0.084 seconds. Jesse Love finished third, followed by Justin Allgaier and Sheldon Creed, while Alfredo finished 10th behind Brandon Jones.

Although the Talladega finish may not have reflected the No. 96 Chevrolet's full potential, it reinforced the consistency Alfredo and his team have developed this season.

After a challenging start to the year, Viking Motorsports has steadily improved, with Alfredo becoming a regular contender for top-10 finishes. His results include impressive performances at Daytona, Darlington, Las Vegas, and Charlotte, showing the team can compete on a variety of tracks.

The relationship between Alfredo and crew chief Josh Graham has been central to that progress. Reunited for the 2026 season, the two have worked closely to develop a competitive program while helping establish the foundation for Viking Motorsports' expanded two-car operation.

In an earlier interview discussing the team's development, Alfredo emphasized the importance of learning from difficult weekends and continuing to improve.

"When things weren't going our way, or we didn't execute right, we built on it, got better, and kept going back to the drawing board."

That approach has helped transform the No. 96 program into an increasingly competitive operation, with Alfredo and his crew consistently finding ways to improve their performance as the season has progressed.

Saturday's result brought Alfredo's season totals to three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes through 31 starts. He remains 16th in the driver standings with 684 points, just 23 behind Ryan Sieg for 15th with two races remaining.

The Talladega weekend also gave DUDE Wipes valuable exposure, with its distinctive Dumpkin Spice branding on Alfredo's Chevrolet. The partnership brought a creative promotional presence to one of NASCAR's most recognizable superspeedways while supporting another competitive performance for the No. 96 team.

As the season winds down, Alfredo and Viking Motorsports have a chance to build on their late-season momentum. Their continued progress provides encouragement for the final two events and shows the potential of a team that has worked all year to establish itself as a competitive force in the series.

Up Next

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Martinsville Speedway for the National Debt Relief 250 on Saturday, October 31, at 4 p.m. ET. The CW will carry television coverage, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The 2026 season concludes Saturday, November 7, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

About Anthony Alfredo

Anthony Alfredo, known to NASCAR fans as "Fast Pasta," is a professional stock car racing driver from Ridgefield, Connecticut. He competes full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 96 Chevrolet for Viking Motorsports. Alfredo has competed in NASCAR's Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series and has served as a simulator driver for Hendrick Motorsports. In 2026, he joined Viking Motorsports, bringing valuable experience and a commitment to helping build a competitive racing program. Known for his work ethic, engaging personality, and strong relationships with fans and corporate partners, Alfredo continues pursuing his goal of competing at NASCAR's highest level.

About Viking Motorsports

Viking Motorsports is a professional NASCAR racing organization based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Founded by Don Sackett, the team competes in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and expanded to a two-car operation in 2026, fielding the No. 96 Chevrolet for Anthony Alfredo and the No. 99 Chevrolet for Parker Retzlaff. Focused on technical development, teamwork, and continuous improvement, Viking Motorsports is building a competitive program capable of challenging more established organizations.

For more information, visit www.vikingmotorsports.racing.

About DUDE Wipes

DUDE Wipes is a nationally recognized personal hygiene brand known for its innovative flushable wipes, creative marketing, and distinctive brand personality. Founded as an alternative to traditional toilet paper, the company offers a growing selection of personal care products for home and on-the-go use. Through partnerships in sports and entertainment, including NASCAR, DUDE Wipes continues to expand its national presence while connecting with consumers through memorable campaigns, such as its Dumpkin Spice promotion.

For more information, visit www.dudewipes.com.

Media Contact

Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com