Parker Retzlaff Is Showing More so Far in 2026

Parker Retzlaff joined Viking Motorsports in 2026 after moving from Alpha Prime Racing. So far in 2026, Retzlaff has more stage points, top-five and top-10 finishes than he did last year.

His uptick in performance has got some talking about his potential and believing he is the next young star in NASCAR, with the quick turnaround not only for him but for Viking Motorsports too.

Frontstretch was able to speak with the No. 99 driver ahead of his race at Darlington Raceway, where he was currently 12th in points and ended the race in ninth in the standings after finishing eighth.

Trenton Worsham, Frontstretch: The performance this year since joining Viking Motorsports has greatly improved. What has it been like with your new team?

Retzlaff: It’s been great. There has been a lot of building in the offseason, but I think we’ve put a lot of good pieces in. It all comes back to the guys at the top of Viking Motorsports: the owners, the general managers and everyone who runs everything day to day.

Worsham: I know you feel that your full potential as a driver has not been reached yet, but do you feel like you’re starting to show that more with the start you have had to the season?

Retzlaff: I think we still have more to show; we’ve given away some better days we could have had, but we have also made the best of some days where we didn’t think we were the best. Overall, there’s still a lot more this team can do, and I think we have a lot more strength to show.

Worsham: You have more stage points this season, at the time of this interview, 12th in points, in a system where every point matters. Being where you are after some strong runs, how do you feel about that?

Retzlaff: We have to be consistent every week, and I think that’s what we knew going into the year. And except for COTA, where we had an unlucky day, we’ve done that every week.

Worsham: I’m not sure if you’ve heard the recent podcasts. I believe it was when Brad Keselowski hosted the Dale Jr. Download, they were talking about drivers getting a chance to prove themselves in A-tier equipment, and used you as an example of a driver who deserves that. Having that support and belief, what does that mean to you?

Retzlaff: There’s more to prove every week, so it’s good to know those guys I’ve looked up to my whole career are saying that. Before I was racing in this series [O’Reilly’s], I was doing some eNASCAR stuff racing for Brad, so it does mean a lot with the involvement he’s had in my career

Worsham: You’ve done an open Cup car with RCR before. Do you feel RFK may have one for you, or are there any opportunities on the table?

Retzlaff: I don’t have anything right now, I’m just focused on the year in the No. 99 Viking [Motorsports] O’Reilly car. If something comes up later in the year, maybe, but nothing doing to go Cup racing. I’m not focused on it; I need to win an O’Reilly’s race first, then I’ll worry about Cup racing in the future.

Worsham: Final question, I’m curious to know what a week for Parker Retzlaff is like, being a driver in the O’Reilly Series?

Retzlaff: Mondays are meetings and simulator work, then Tuesdays I watch about 4-6 hours of just film with my spotter Doug Campbell, and Wednesdays are shop days. Thursdays are travel days or a shop day, just hanging out with the guys.