Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | Timberland® PRO 200
Fast Facts
No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Ryan Ellis
Primary Partner(s): Tablo TV
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis
2026 Driver Points Position: 27th
2026 Owner Points Position: 34th
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing
Notes of Interest:
● Year Three, Driven Forward: In November 2025, Ryan Ellis was announced as Young’s Motorsports’ full-time driver in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as the organization enters its third season of competition.
In a significant step for 2026, Young’s Motorsports will transition its flagship No. 02 — long synonymous with the organization’s success in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series — to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time, underscoring the team’s continued growth at the national level.
Ellis will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro across the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Timberland® PRO 200 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway and culminating with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.
● About Ryan: A respected veteran in the NASCAR garage, Ellis joins Young’s Motorsports with more than a decade of experience across NASCAR’s national ranks, including competition in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
The 2026 season will mark Ellis’ fourth full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The 35-year-old Virginia native is coming off his first career NASCAR top-10 finish in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum while continuing to expand his résumé, which includes 193 career starts in series competition.
Known for his consistency, professionalism, and versatility behind the wheel and in the garage, Ellis aims to apply his experience to elevate Young’s Motorsports’ competitive presence in its third season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
● All-Aboard!: For the 30th of 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Tablo TV as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday afternoon’s 200-lap event.
Tablo provides fans with an affordable way to access live, local broadcast television — including racing and other major sporting events — without a monthly subscription.
Through a simple setup that includes a Tablo device and antenna, viewers can enjoy major networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ION and The CW, along with recording functionality and multi-device streaming capability.
With just a one-time device purchase of about $100, an antenna, internet connection and the free Tablo TV app, customers can watch live, local broadcast coverage of racing, local news, live sports, classic shows and more for free.
Families can stream on multiple devices at once, making it easy to catch the big race in one room and a show in another. Simple, affordable, and endlessly entertaining — Tablo TV brings America’s most popular TV back to fans for free.
All NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races will be broadcast live on The CW, and practices and qualifying can be streamed on The CW App. The CW can be watched, paused and recorded on Tablo TV, a subscription-free way to access 125+ broadcast and streaming channels.
Content and channels are subject to availability in your area.
Nuvyyo USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company, is a successful technology company re-inventing the over-the-air television experience for the streaming age.
Tablo and Tablo TV are trademarks of Nuvyyo USA, LLC. All third-party trademarks, including logos, are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, visit TabloTV.com.
● Tablo TV and GOVX Celebrate Those Who Serve: Season-long partners Tablo TV and GOVX will once again support Ellis and Young’s Motorsports this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, with Tablo TV serving as the primary partner aboard the No. 02 Chevrolet and GOVX continuing its presence as a major associate partner.
GOVX, the members-only platform serving U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, emergency medical professionals and government employees, provides exclusive access to premium brands and special pricing for those who serve.
Tablo TV and GOVX will continue to build on their new partnership this weekend, celebrating military members, veterans and their families through an exclusive offer for the military community.
Following the successful launch during the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 20, eligible GOVX members can receive $30 off the Tablo Total System, making it even easier to enjoy free over-the-air television at home.
● Tablo Gives Fans More Ways to Watch NASCAR: As a valued partner of Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, NASCAR fans have even more ways to watch and record racing action with Tablo.
Fourth-generation Tablo DVR owners can now access and record The NASCAR Channel, featuring 24/7 free programming, including classic races, delayed broadcasts of the current season, select live events, NASCAR Studios original content and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive.
The addition brings Tablo’s lineup to 106 free streaming channels, complementing its ability to watch and record free local broadcast television with a TV antenna through its whole-home DVR platform.
This week, fans can use promo code ELLIS to receive $20 off the purchase of a new Tablo TV device.
● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s return to the Arizona desert for the second and final NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series visit of the 2026 season to Phoenix Raceway will mark Ellis’s ninth career start at the 1.0-mile oval in Avondale, Ariz.
In his previous eight Phoenix Raceway starts, Ellis’s best result came in his track debut in the 2022 United Rentals 200, where he earned a track-best 16th for Alpha Prime Racing.
Overall, he holds a 24.9 average finish in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at the famed course in the Sonoran Desert.
Following its return to the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway oval, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads west this weekend for its second and final visit of the 2026 season to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.
This weekend’s return to the Arizona desert carries added significance, as the popular 1.0-mile oval will not serve as the season finale for the first time since 2020, instead providing another important stop as teams continue their push toward the conclusion of the championship campaign.
The action-packed weekend begins Friday with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage Saturday afternoon.
The ARCA Menards Series West will follow with its own showdown Saturday night, while the NASCAR Cup Series closes the weekend Sunday with the Freeway Insurance 500.
Known for its distinctive layout, challenging corners and wide frontstretch dogleg, Phoenix Raceway presents competitors with a unique test that places a premium on braking, handling, tire management and track position.
Navigating the dogleg and capitalizing on aggressive restarts can create opportunities to gain valuable positions, while maintaining consistent speed through the flatter corners will be essential over longer green-flag runs.
Qualifying and pit-road execution will also matter, as teams work to maintain track position and make the adjustments needed to keep their cars competitive throughout the afternoon.
For Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, Saturday’s return to Phoenix offers another chance to build on their first visit to the Arizona oval earlier this season while continuing their pursuit of a strong finish to the 2026 campaign.
With only a handful of races remaining together, Ellis and the No. 02 Chevrolet team will look to recover from their spring-event experience and apply lessons learned throughout the season to Saturday’s return to the desert.
While the organization and Ellis will pursue separate paths following the conclusion of the season, their objectives remain unchanged: maximize every opportunity, execute complete races and deliver the strongest possible results for the partners and personnel who have supported their efforts throughout the year.
A strong performance at Phoenix would give Ellis and Young’s Motorsports another chance to add a positive result to their 2026 campaign as they continue their push toward the season finale.
● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Ellis has 193 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best sixth-place finish after starting 32nd in the 2026 edition of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Young’s Motorsports.
Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has averaged a 26.6 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.
● Charlotte Motor Speedway | Blue Cross North Carolina 300 Race Recap: Ryan Ellis and the No. 02 The Loaded Tea Shop Chevrolet team arrived at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway hoping to build upon their 21st-place finish from the spring, but inclement weather forced the cancellation of practice and qualifying for the second consecutive event at the 1.5-mile oval, placing Ellis 33rd on the starting grid.
With the postponed Blue Cross North Carolina 300 pushed under the lights after the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400, Ellis and his Young’s Motorsports team faced an added challenge as they worked to find the right balance and move up the field.
Despite the circumstances, Ellis stayed on the lead lap through the opening stages, and the No. 02 Chevrolet showed noticeable pace improvement in Stage 2 as the team continued refining its handling.
As the race moved into Stage 3, Ellis steadily advanced through the field and closed in on the top 20 when a flat tire sent him spinning, triggering a chain reaction that ultimately forced the team into the garage.
Ellis finished a disappointing 34th, a frustrating end to an otherwise encouraging run in which the No. 02 team overcame a challenging start and showed competitive pace before misfortune derailed their efforts.
● Calling the Shots: Guiding Ryan Ellis as crew chief of the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief, engineer and industry veteran Eddie Troconis.
On Saturday afternoon, Troconis will call his 51st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 50 starts, he has recorded two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
The season’s 30th race will mark Troconis’ third O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Phoenix Raceway and his second since 2020, when he guided series rookie Mason Diaz to a respectable 24th-place finish in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200.
Additionally, Troconis has six NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, earning a track-best fourth-place finish with driver Cameron Hayley in 2016.
● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Phoenix Raceway: This weekend’s Timberland® PRO 200 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ seventh and eighth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Phoenix Raceway.
In the organization’s six previous appearances at the popular 1.0-mile oval, Young’s Motorsports earned a track-best 11th-place finish with rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. in the 2024 edition of the Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.
Across those starts, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization has recorded an average starting position of 28.7 and an average finishing position of 27.7.
Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series experience, Young’s Motorsports also brings an extensive NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series résumé to the Arizona desert, with 21 starts at Phoenix Raceway since 2014 and an average finish of 23.6.
Those efforts are highlighted by a team-best eighth-place finish from Kaden Honeycutt in the November 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season finale.
● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 124 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.7 and an average finish of 25.1.
● Follow on Social Media: For more on Ryan Ellis, please visit ryanellisracing.com, like him on Facebook (Ryan Ellis), and follow him on Instagram (@ryanellisracing), TikTok (@ryanellisracing), and X | Twitter (@ryanellisracing).
For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).
Ryan Ellis Quote Board:
On Return to Phoenix Raceway: “I’m looking forward to getting back to Phoenix. It’s a track I’ve raced at quite a few times over the years, and it’s definitely one of the more unique places we visit because it drives so differently from just about everywhere else on the schedule.
“We were there earlier this season, so hopefully we can take some of the things we learned in the spring and put them to good use this weekend. Phoenix is a place where having confidence in your car makes a huge difference, especially with how much you have to work the brakes and get through the corners.
“It’s also going to be different not having Phoenix as the season finale this year. There’s still plenty to race for, and I’d really like to have a strong weekend in the desert.”
On Keys to Success at Phoenix Raceway: “Phoenix is all about getting your car to rotate through the center of the corners without sacrificing too much drive off. You spend a lot of time on the brakes, and if you can’t get the car pointed in the right direction, it makes it really difficult to maintain your speed and make passes.
“The dogleg is another big part of what makes Phoenix so challenging. Everybody gets aggressive on restarts, and you can gain or lose several positions in a hurry depending on how things shake out.
“Track position is going to be important, but so is taking care of your tires over a long run. If we can unload with a good balance, make smart adjustments and keep ourselves out of trouble, hopefully we can be competitive throughout the afternoon.”
On Goals for Phoenix Raceway: “The biggest goal is to put together a complete race and get back to finishing where I feel like this team is capable of running. Charlotte was really frustrating because we had worked our way forward from 33rd, stayed on the lead lap and were getting close to the top 20 before the flat tire changed everything.
“That was disappointing because the finishing position didn’t reflect the progress we made throughout the night. The guys worked really hard, and I felt like we were finally getting ourselves into a pretty good position.
“For Phoenix, I’d love to qualify better, stay competitive throughout the stages and give ourselves a chance to battle inside the top 20. If we can keep improving the car and execute a clean race, hopefully we can leave there with a result that reflects the effort everyone is putting in.”
On Continued Partnership with Tablo TV: “I’m incredibly thankful to have Tablo TV continuing to support me and our No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet. They’ve been such an important part of our program this season, and I really appreciate the commitment they’ve made to our team.
“One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about this partnership is being able to introduce NASCAR fans to Tablo and show them how easy it is to enjoy live television without the traditional cable experience. It’s a product that makes a lot of sense for people who love watching sports and entertainment.
“We’re getting down to the final races of the season, and I want to make sure we continue representing Tablo TV the right way. They’ve believed in us throughout the year, and hopefully we can reward that support with a strong performance at Phoenix.”
On Goals for Remainder of 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season: “My goals haven’t changed just because we’re getting closer to the end of the season. I still want to go out there every weekend, race as hard as I can and give everyone at Young’s Motorsports and all of our partners the best results possible.
“Obviously, we know that Tyler, Randy, Becky and I will be going in different directions after this year, but that doesn’t change how much respect and appreciation I have for everyone who has been part of this program. We’ve been through a lot together this season, and I want to make sure we finish things the right way.
“There are only a few opportunities left for us to create some more good memories together. I’d love nothing more than to put together a couple of strong runs, give these guys something to be proud of and close out our time together on a positive note.”
No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Brad Perez
Primary Partner(s): Santiam Rentals
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
2026 Driver Points Position: 46th (Six Races)
2026 Owner Points Position: 32nd
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing
Notes of Interest:
● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this weekend as the tour returns to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway for its second and final visit of the 2026 season, with the popular 1.0-mile oval hosting a fall race that will not serve as the season finale for the first time since 2020.
Motorsports polymath Brad Perez returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization for his fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the season with Young’s Motorsports in Saturday afternoon’s Timberland® PRO 200, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the 30th of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.
● About Brad: Brad Perez is a versatile competitor within the motorsports industry, bringing a diverse background that extends well beyond his accomplishments behind the wheel.
A native of Hollywood, Fla., Perez has established himself as a multifaceted racing professional, balancing responsibilities as a driver, engineer, strategist and valued contributor throughout the NASCAR garage.
His racing résumé includes experience across NASCAR national and regional competition, sports cars and grassroots motorsports, where he has demonstrated an ability to capitalize on opportunities while competing with limited resources.
Beyond his driving career, Perez has gained valuable experience in engineering and competition-related roles, developing a technical understanding of race car performance, strategy and the demands of competing at NASCAR’s highest levels.
Known for his determination, adaptability and hands-on approach to motorsports, Perez continues to expand his racing résumé while bringing a unique combination of driving experience and technical knowledge to his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series opportunity with Young’s Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway.
● All-Aboard! For the 30th of 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes Santiam Rentals as the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro’s primary partner for Saturday afternoon’s 200-lap Timberland® PRO 200 at Phoenix Raceway.
Based in Salem, OR, Santiam Rentals is a locally owned, customer-focused equipment rental company specializing in high-quality flatbed and dump trailer rentals.
Conveniently located in the Willamette Valley near I-5 and Highway 22, the company provides affordable, reliable, and fully insured hauling solutions for home improvement projects, construction material transport, and recreational needs.
Serving communities across Salem, Keizer, Albany, and the greater Willamette Valley region, Santiam Rentals is dedicated to delivering a hassle-free rental experience with well-maintained equipment and flexible rates.
To learn more or to reserve a trailer, visit santiamrentals.com.
● Brad Perez O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s return to the Arizona desert for the second and final NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series visit of the 2026 season to Phoenix Raceway will mark Perez’s first start at the 1.0-mile oval in Avondale, Ariz.
Following its return to the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway oval, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads west this weekend for its second and final visit of the 2026 season to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.
This weekend’s return to the Arizona desert carries added significance, as the popular 1.0-mile oval will not host the season finale for the first time since 2020, instead serving as another key stop as teams push toward the end of the championship campaign.
The action-packed weekend begins Friday with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage Saturday afternoon. The ARCA Menards Series West will follow with its own showdown Saturday night, while the NASCAR Cup Series closes the weekend Sunday with the Freeway Insurance 500.
Known for its distinctive layout, challenging corners and wide frontstretch dogleg, Phoenix Raceway presents competitors with a unique test that places a premium on braking, handling, tire management and track position.
Navigating the dogleg and capitalizing on aggressive restarts can create opportunities to gain valuable positions, while maintaining consistent speed through the flatter corners will be essential over longer green-flag runs.
Qualifying and pit-road execution will also matter, as teams work to maintain track position and make the adjustments needed to keep their cars competitive throughout the afternoon.
For Brad Perez and Young’s Motorsports, Saturday’s Timberland® PRO 200 presents an opportunity to continue the recent improvement of the organization’s No. 42 Chevrolet program, which has enjoyed a productive stretch of performances with multiple drivers behind the wheel.
The No. 42 team enters Phoenix riding a streak of three consecutive top-23 finishes, including a top-20 result with Logan Bearden at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and two solid performances with NASCAR veteran Matt DiBenedetto at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway and Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
With Perez taking over driving duties this weekend, Young’s Motorsports hopes to maintain that consistency while capitalizing on the Hollywood, Fla., native’s diverse racing background and technical knowledge to navigate the challenges of the Arizona oval.
As the 2026 season approaches its conclusion, another competitive performance at Phoenix would further reinforce the No. 42 team’s recent progress and provide Perez an opportunity to contribute to the organization’s strong closing stretch.
● Brad Perez NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Perez has 25 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 18th-place finish after starting 31st in the 2024 Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas for Alpha Prime Racing.
Since his 2022 debut, Perez has recorded an average finish of 28.3 in series competition at 16 different tracks, including Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, the Chicago Street Course, Darlington Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Naval Base Coronado, Road America, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and World Wide Technology (Ill.) Raceway for teams Alpha Prime Racing, Emerling-Gase Motorsports, Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, SS-GreenLight Racing, Young’s Motorsports and most recently RSS Racing.
Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Perez has made five starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2024.
With four races remaining in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Perez will make his seventh start of the year this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, matching his career-high number of starts in a single season, established in 2025.
● Calling the Shots: Guiding as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.
On Saturday afternoon, he will be the crew chief in his 192nd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 191 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
The season’s 30th race will be his 12th tango at Phoenix Raceway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
In his 11 previous leadership efforts at Phoenix, Abbott has earned a track-best 10th-place finish with driver Jeremy Clements in the 2020 fall edition of the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200.
● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Phoenix Raceway: This weekend’s Timberland® PRO 200 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ seventh and eighth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Phoenix Raceway.
In the organization’s six previous appearances at the popular 1.0-mile oval, Young’s Motorsports earned a track-best 11th-place finish with rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. in the 2024 edition of the Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.
Across those starts, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization has recorded an average starting position of 28.7 and an average finishing position of 27.7.
Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series experience, Young’s Motorsports also brings an extensive NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series résumé to the Arizona desert, with 21 starts at Phoenix Raceway since 2014 and an average finish of 23.6.
Those efforts are highlighted by a team-best eighth-place finish from Kaden Honeycutt in the November 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season finale.
● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 124 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.7 and an average finish of 25.1.
● Follow on Social Media: For more on Brad Perez, please visit bradperez.com, like him on Facebook (Brad Perez Racing), and follow him on Instagram (@uhbrad), TikTok (@breadperez), and X | Twitter (@bradxperez).
For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).
Brad Perez Quote Board:
On Phoenix Raceway: “I’m really excited to make my first start at Phoenix Raceway. It’s one of those tracks I’ve watched for years, and I’ve always wanted the opportunity to experience it from behind the wheel.
“It’s a really unique place with the flatter corners, the dogleg and some pretty aggressive restarts. I’ve watched plenty of races there, but I know there’s a big difference between watching it and actually being out there competing.
“I’m looking forward to learning the track, getting comfortable with our No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet and hopefully putting together a solid afternoon in my Phoenix debut.”
On Keys to Success at Phoenix Raceway: “From everything I’ve studied about Phoenix, getting the car to rotate through the center of the corners without sacrificing drive off is going to be really important.
“Having worked on the technical side of racing, I understand how much goes into finding that balance, especially as the tires wear and the track conditions change. The biggest thing for me will be learning as quickly as possible and giving the team good feedback so we can make the right adjustments.
“Restarts are another area where I’ll have to be smart. The dogleg creates a lot of opportunities, but it can also get pretty chaotic. I want to be aggressive when the opportunity is there, but also make sure we’re taking care of our race car.”
On Goals for Phoenix Raceway: “My biggest goal is to make the most of my first opportunity to race at Phoenix and help this No. 42 team continue the solid performances they’ve been putting together lately.
“Logan Bearden and Matt DiBenedetto have done a really nice job with this car over the last few races, and three consecutive finishes of 23rd or better is something this team should feel good about. That tells me the guys have been working hard and making progress.
“I’d love to keep that streak going and hopefully challenge for another top-20 finish. I know there’s going to be a learning curve with this being my first race at Phoenix, but if we can get comfortable early, stay on the lead lap and execute a complete race, hopefully we can leave with a result everyone can be proud of.”
On Santiam Rentals Partnership: “I’m incredibly thankful to have Santiam Rentals supporting our No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet this weekend at Phoenix Raceway.
“Partnerships like this mean so much, especially for someone like me who has worked really hard to earn every opportunity I’ve had in NASCAR. Having a company willing to believe in what we’re doing and help make these races possible is something I never take for granted.
“I’m excited to represent Santiam Rentals on and off the track, introduce them to NASCAR fans and hopefully give them a performance they can be proud of.
“Making my Phoenix Raceway debut with their support makes this opportunity even more special.”
On Another NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m really grateful to Tyler Young and everyone at Young’s Motorsports for giving me another opportunity to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
“I’ve been fortunate to experience this sport from a lot of different perspectives, whether that’s driving, working on the technical side or helping teams behind the scenes. Every time I get the chance to climb behind the wheel, it reminds me why I love racing so much and how much these opportunities mean.
“This weekend is especially meaningful because it’ll be my seventh start of the season, matching my career-high from 2025. To reach that milestone while also making my first career start at Phoenix Raceway is something I’m really proud of, but I’m certainly not satisfied.
“I want to keep building on these opportunities, continue learning and show that I belong competing at this level. Hopefully, we can put together a strong run for Young’s Motorsports and Santiam Rentals and make the most of another chance to do what I love.”
Race Information:
The Timberland® PRO 200 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 30th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Qualifying will begin immediately after, at 12:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day, shortly after 4:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (MT).
