DAYTONA TOP FIVE IN BREAKOUT NIGHT FOR VIKING MOTORSPORTS
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Anthony Alfredo and Viking Motorsports delivered one of their strongest performances of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, bringing the No. 96 DUDE Wipes Odor Destroyer Chevrolet home fourth in the Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola.
For Alfredo, the result was more than another top-five finish. It was the latest sign of just how far the No. 96 program has progressed during Viking Motorsports’ first season as a two-car operation.
Starting ninth, Alfredo established himself as a contender almost immediately and spent much of the night racing near the front of the field.
He finished fourth in Stage One before continuing his charge during Stage Two, crossing the line second and collecting valuable stage points while keeping the No. 96 Chevrolet firmly in contention.
The night wasn’t without adversity.
Contact involving Alfredo and Corey Day on lap 46 triggered a multi-car incident. Alfredo later took responsibility for his part in the incident, while the No. 96 team went to work repairing damage to the Chevrolet.
Despite the setback, Alfredo remained in the fight.
The Ridgefield, Connecticut native worked his way back toward the front and positioned himself for another opportunity when the race went into overtime. When the checkered flag flew, Alfredo crossed the line fourth, completing a night that included top-four finishes in both stages, two laps led and a fourth-place overall result.
The performance also represented a dramatic turnaround from Daytona in February, when Viking Motorsports was still in the earliest stages of building its newly expanded No. 96 program.
Six months later, Alfredo and Viking Motorsports returned to Daytona not simply looking to compete, but battling some of the strongest organizations in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the victory.
“To be where we’re at now is a huge testament to everyone’s hard work,” Alfredo said following the race. “And I feel like the past couple of months have been really good for us, and to come here and have a shot to win is all you could ask for.”
That progress has become increasingly evident throughout the summer as Viking Motorsports continues developing into a competitive two-car organization. Alfredo’s Daytona performance contributed to the team’s seventh top-five finish of the 2026 season and provided another indication that the young organization is capable of racing at the front of the field.
For Alfredo, who also works during the week as a simulator driver for Hendrick Motorsports, the Daytona result further demonstrated the experience and versatility he brings to Viking Motorsports as the organization continues building toward becoming a consistent race-winning program.
ABOUT ANTHONY ALFREDO
Anthony Alfredo drives the No. 96 Chevrolet for Viking Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The Ridgefield, Connecticut native has competed across NASCAR’s national touring series and has developed a reputation for his determination, adaptability and ability to maximize opportunities on and off the racetrack. In addition to his racing responsibilities, Alfredo serves as a simulator driver for Hendrick Motorsports, working with drivers, crew chiefs and engineers to help prepare its race teams for NASCAR Cup Series competition.
ABOUT VIKING MOTORSPORTS
Viking Motorsports is a growing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series organization headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. Founded by team owner Don Sackett, Viking Motorsports expanded into a two-car operation for the 2026 season, fielding the No. 96 Chevrolet for Anthony Alfredo and the No. 99 Chevrolet for Parker Retzlaff. Built around performance, innovation and long-term growth, Viking Motorsports also maintains an enhanced technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing as the organization continues its pursuit of becoming a consistent race-winning contender.
ABOUT DUDE WIPES
DUDE Wipes was founded by a group of longtime friends in Chicago who saw an opportunity to create a better alternative to traditional toilet paper and launched their first flushable wipes in 2012. The company gained national attention following an appearance on Shark Tank, where entrepreneur Mark Cuban invested in the brand. Since then, DUDE Wipes has grown into a nationally recognized personal-care brand with a product lineup centered around flushable wipes and personal hygiene products. Known for its bold marketing and distinctive personality, DUDE Wipes continues to expand its presence while supporting motorsports and Anthony Alfredo through its partnership with the No. 96 Viking Motorsports team.
Media Contact:
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
