Young's Motorsports Darlington Raceway September Team Preview

Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | Fleetio 200

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Ryan Ellis  

Primary Partner(s): J.D. Steel Co. Inc.

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis 

2026 Driver Points Position: 28th | 2026 Owner Points Position: 33rd

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

● 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 night’s Fleetio 200 at Darlington (S.C.) 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 188 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 25th of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes J.D. Steel Co. Inc. as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday night’s 147-lap event.

Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1970, J.D. Steel Co. Inc. is an employee-owned company specializing in steel installation and erection services nationwide.

For more than five decades, the company has built its reputation by delivering high-quality work with an unwavering focus on safety, craftsmanship, integrity and customer satisfaction.

Supported by a skilled and experienced workforce, J.D. Steel approaches projects of varying size and complexity with professionalism and precision.

● 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 Darlington Raceway, continuing their presence as associate partners on the No. 02 Chevrolet.

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 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 Darlington Raceway Stats: Saturday night’s traditional fall NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series trip to the track dubbed ‘Too Tough To Tame’ will mark Ellis’s 12th career start at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.

In his previous 11 Darlington Raceway starts, Ellis’s best result was delivered in his third trip in the 2021 edition of the Steakhouse Elite 200, where he earned a track-best 16th, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 29.2 at the famed track in the heart of South Carolina. 

Fresh off the conclusion of the regular season at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action this weekend for its second and final visit of the 2026 season to historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will kick off a Labor Day weekend doubleheader Saturday night, setting the stage for one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and anticipated events.

On Sunday night, the stars and cars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take center stage for the legendary Cook Out Southern 500, with the crown-jewel event also serving as the opening race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Few tracks on the NASCAR schedule demand more from a driver than Darlington Raceway.

The uniquely shaped 1.366-mile oval, with its distinctive corners and racing groove pushed perilously close to the outside wall, requires drivers to balance aggression with patience throughout every lap.

Finding speed while preserving the race car — and avoiding the infamous “Darlington Stripe” — remains one of the sport’s most demanding challenges.

Tire management will also be paramount Saturday night. Darlington’s notoriously abrasive racing surface creates significant tire wear and considerable falloff throughout a run, placing an added premium on throttle control, car balance and a driver’s ability to maintain competitive lap times without using too much of the tires too early.

As the race unfolds under the lights, changing track conditions and varying tire strategies can dramatically alter the running order. Long green-flag runs can reward drivers who manage their equipment effectively, while timely cautions can quickly turn track position and pit-road execution into critical components of a successful night.

For Ryan Ellis and Young's Motorsports, Saturday night’s return to Darlington provides another opportunity to continue building on the progress demonstrated throughout the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

With experience from the series’ spring visit already in their notebook, Ellis and the No. 02 Young's Motorsports team will look to apply what they learned earlier this season, adapt to the different conditions presented by a late-summer night race and put together a complete performance at one of NASCAR’s most challenging venues.

As the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series enters the final stretch of its season, Ellis and Young's Motorsports remain focused on maximizing every opportunity, delivering for their partners and turning their continued progress into strong finishes.

A successful Saturday night at the “Track Too Tough to Tame” would provide another important step toward accomplishing those goals.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Darlington, Ellis has 188 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 26.5 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.

● Daytona International Speedway | Winn-Dixie 250 fueled by Coca-Cola Race Recap: Last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Ellis and Young's Motorsports enjoyed another productive outing together, continuing a recent stretch of encouraging performances for the No. 02 team.

With no practice scheduled before qualifying, Ellis secured a solid 22nd-place starting position for Friday night's Winn-Dixie 250 and quickly settled into the lead draft once the green flag waved at the “World Center of Racing.”

Through the first two stages, Ellis stayed patient and methodical while navigating the intensity of superspeedway competition, keeping the No. 02 Young's Motorsports Chevrolet on the lead lap and in the lead draft entering the third and final stage.

Despite an array of strategies unfolding across the field in the closing portion of the race, Ellis and the No. 02 team stayed focused on positioning themselves for a competitive top-25 finish.

When the caution flag waved with two laps remaining, however, the complexion of the race changed and provided Ellis with one final opportunity to capitalize.

After catching back up to the field for the ensuing restart, Ellis delivered a powerful charge over the final two laps. Maintaining a strong pace in the lead draft while picking off positions, Ellis climbed to 17th before taking the checkered flag, earning another solid finish for Young's Motorsports.

The 17th-place result marked Ellis's sixth top-25 finish in the last eight NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races and provided another boost of confidence for the No. 02 team as the series transitions from the unpredictability of Daytona to one of the most demanding tracks on the schedule.

With another productive weekend behind them, Ellis and Young's Motorsports return to Darlington Raceway focused on continuing their recent consistency and applying what they learned during the spring race at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.”

As the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season enters its final stretch, Ellis and the No. 02 team hope to continue converting their improving performance into strong finishes while maximizing every remaining opportunity for Young's Motorsports and its partners.

● 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 night, Troconis will call his 46th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 45 starts, he has recorded two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The season's 25th race will mark his fourth tango at Darlington Raceway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

He also has three starts as the leader in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, including a track-best 17th-place effort with former ARCA Menards Series winner Austin Wayne Self in the 2020 South Carolina Education Lottery 200.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Darlington Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ sixth and seventh start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Darlington Raceway.

In the organization’s five previous races, the team has earned a track-best 23rd-place finish during the 2024 edition of the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200, with then series rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel.

In Darlington, the organization’s five previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 32.2 and an average finish of 30.0.

Earlier this season, drivers Ryan Ellis and Nathan Byrd delivered 32nd and 34th-place finishes in the spring  Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 17 starts at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2020, producing a 24.0 average finish.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 10th, earned by Kaden Honeycutt in the series’ ninth race of the 2023 Truck Series season.

● 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 114 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.6 and an average finish of 25.0.

● 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 Quoteboard:

On Darlington Raceway: “Darlington is one of those places where you have to respect the racetrack every single lap.

“It’s incredibly challenging, and there really isn’t another track on the schedule quite like it. You’re running so close to the wall, the tires are constantly changing underneath you and the balance of the car can evolve considerably throughout a run.

“I always enjoy racing there because it puts so much in the driver’s hands. It’s demanding, but when you can put together a good run at Darlington, it’s extremely rewarding.”

On Keys to Success at Darlington Raceway: “Tire management is obviously going to be extremely important, but so is having a car that gives you confidence throughout a long run.

“You can be really fast for a few laps, but if you use everything up too early, you’re going to pay for it later in the run.

“You also have to stay disciplined because the wall is always right there. If we can take care of our equipment, communicate well throughout the race and continue improving the balance of our No. 02 J.D. Steel Co. Inc. Chevrolet as the track changes, hopefully we can put ourselves in a good position for the closing stages.”

On Goals for Darlington Raceway: “We’ve been putting together some solid races lately, and the goal at Darlington is to keep that consistency going.

“We have some experience from the spring race that we can lean on, and hopefully we can take what we learned then and be better when we unload this weekend.

“I’d really like to see us put together another complete race, stay competitive throughout the night and give ourselves a chance to fight for a top-15 finish. Darlington is never easy, but I feel like our team continues to get stronger, and this weekend is another opportunity to show that.”

On Daytona International Speedway Finish Last Weekend: “Daytona was another really solid weekend for our No. 02 team.

“We qualified well, stayed in the lead draft and kept ourselves in position throughout the race. When that late caution came out, it gave us an opportunity to regroup with the field, and we were able to take advantage of it on the final restart and pick up several positions.

“Finishing 17th and earning our sixth top-25 finish in the last eight races is something we can feel good about. Of course, we always want more, but we’ve been finding ways to put together better finishes and capitalize on opportunities when they come our way.

“Hopefully we can carry that same mindset into Darlington.”

On Partnership with J.D. Steel Co. Inc.: “I’m incredibly appreciative to have  J.D. Steel Co. Inc. supporting me and everyone at Young’s Motorsports this weekend.

“Partnerships are such an important part of what allows us to compete every weekend and having companies like J.D. Steel Co. Inc. believe in what we’re building means a tremendous amount to me personally and to our entire team.

“Darlington and the Southern 500 weekend are such a special part of the NASCAR season, so we want to represent J.D. Steel Co. Inc. well, give them plenty to be excited about throughout the weekend and hopefully reward their continued support with a strong finish on Saturday night.”

On Goals for Remainder of 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season: “I’m really encouraged by what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last couple of months.

“Six top-25 finishes in eight races shows that we’re becoming more consistent, but I still feel like there is more potential in this team and some better finishes ahead of us.

“Our focus for the rest of the season is to keep building on what we’ve learned, continue improving our race cars and capitalize when opportunities present themselves.

“I’d love to turn some of these top-25 finishes into more top-20s and top-15s and hopefully put ourselves in contention for another top-10 before the year is over.

“Everyone at Young’s Motorsports continues to work incredibly hard, and I want us to finish the season in a way that reflects that effort while delivering strong performances for all of the partners who make it possible for us to be at the racetrack every week.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Logan Bearden

Primary Partner(s): 24HR Garage Door Service

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: 51st (Four Races) | 2026 Owner Points Position: 34th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, looking to build momentum with its expanding two-car effort as the season rolls on at Iowa Speedway this weekend.

Super Late Model veteran Logan Bearden returns to the organization, but this time for his third stint in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the 25th of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.

● About Logan: Logan Bearden, 30, began racing go-karts at the age of nine before quickly progressing through Bandoleros and Legends Cars on short tracks across his home state of Texas.

A native of Leander, Texas, Bearden has built a strong reputation in Late Model competition nationwide, earning wins and top finishes along the way.

Over the past decade, Bearden has competed against some of the top names in short-track racing, developing a résumé that includes Super Late Model and Pro Late Model starts across the Southeast and Midwest, as well as select appearances in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In 2022, Bearden made his Truck Series debut at Circuit of The Americas, delivering a respectable top-25 finish on his home turf. Since then, he has continued to balance his Late Model commitments while pursuing opportunities in NASCAR’s national ranks.

This weekend, Bearden looks to make the most of his return to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Young’s Motorsports, bringing his veteran Late Model experience and patient, disciplined driving style to the team’s No. 42 Chevrolet for the Fleetio 200 at Darlington Raceway.

When not behind the wheel of a race car, Bearden works as a general mechanic for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

● All-Aboard! For the 25th of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes 24HR Garage Door Service as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday night’s 147-lap event.

Founded on a commitment to round-the-clock reliability, 24HR Garage Door Service is a premier provider of residential, commercial, and industrial overhead door solutions. Headquartered in Camden, South Carolina, the company serves a broad regional footprint, including the greater Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area.

24HR Garage Door Service specializes in the installation, maintenance, and emergency repair of high-performance sectional doors, rolling steel systems, and advanced loading dock equipment.

Known for its rapid response times and certified technicians, the company delivers critical, 24/7 support to keep local homes secure and commercial supply chains moving without interruption.

For more information, visit 24hrgaragedoorservice.com.

● He’ll Be Back for More: Earlier this year, Young’s Motorsports announced that Logan Bearden would compete in a selected NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule with the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization during the 2026 season.

T3 Vodka first appeared as a primary partner aboard Bearden’s Chevrolet in the April 11 Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and returned for the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in May.

The brand’s originally announced three-race primary partnership program with Bearden will conclude with the Sept. 18 Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The expanded 2026 partnership builds upon a successful relationship established during the 2025 season, with T3 Vodka increasing its investment in Bearden’s racing efforts as both the emerging brand and rising driver continue to strengthen their presence within NASCAR.

Saturday night’s race at Darlington Raceway represents an addition to Bearden’s originally announced NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule with Young’s Motorsports, providing the 30-year-old another opportunity to gain valuable experience at one of NASCAR’s most demanding venues.

Additional NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts with Young’s Motorsports remain possible for Bearden during the remainder of the 2026 season.

● From the International Stage at Autodrom Most to Darlington Raceway: Bearden invades Darlington Raceway for his fifth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race of the season after spending this past weekend competing in the NASCAR Euro Series V8 GP division at Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic.

A rookie in the international series sanctioned by NASCAR, Bearden enjoyed a career-best weekend as driver of the No. 30 O2 daisy | T3 Vodka | Parker Electric Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks Motorsport, producing two top-10 finishes in the NASCAR GP Czech Republic, including a career-best sixth-place finish on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Heading into the NASCAR Euro Series Playoffs later this month, Bearden occupies a top-10 position in the championship standings, while leading the Challenger Trophy division with a 16-point advantage over his closest competitor, Davit Kajaia.

Logan Bearden O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Darlington Raceway Stats: Saturday night’s traditional fall NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series trip to the track dubbed ‘Too Tough To Tame’ will mark Bearden’s first career start at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.

Fresh off the conclusion of the regular season at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action this weekend for its second and final visit of the 2026 season to historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will kick off a Labor Day weekend doubleheader Saturday night, setting the stage for one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and anticipated events.

On Sunday night, the stars and cars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take center stage for the legendary Cook Out Southern 500, with the crown-jewel event also serving as the opening race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Few tracks on the NASCAR schedule demand more from a driver than Darlington Raceway.

The uniquely shaped 1.366-mile oval, with its distinctive corners and racing groove pushed perilously close to the outside wall, requires drivers to balance aggression with patience throughout every lap.

Finding speed while preserving the race car — and avoiding the infamous “Darlington Stripe” — remains one of the sport’s most demanding challenges.

Tire management will also be paramount Saturday night. Darlington’s notoriously abrasive racing surface creates significant tire wear and considerable falloff throughout a run, placing an added premium on throttle control, car balance and a driver’s ability to maintain competitive lap times without using too much of the tires too early.

As the race unfolds under the lights, changing track conditions and varying tire strategies can dramatically alter the running order. Long green-flag runs can reward drivers who manage their equipment effectively, while timely cautions can quickly turn track position and pit-road execution into critical components of a successful night.

For Logan Bearden, Saturday night’s race represents another valuable opportunity to continue gaining experience in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series while making his third start of the 2026 season with Young's Motorsports.

Returning to the No. 42 Chevrolet following his most recent series start at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in May, Bearden will face one of the most demanding assignments of his young NASCAR career as he tackles the “Track Too Tough to Tame” for the first time.

For Young's Motorsports, the Darlington weekend provides another opportunity to continue strengthening its No. 42 program. With a rotating lineup of drivers contributing valuable feedback and experience throughout the season, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization remains focused on improving its performance and maximizing each opportunity during the final stretch of the 2026 campaign.

Fresh off a career-best NASCAR Euro Series weekend at Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic, Bearden arrives at Darlington with added confidence and valuable seat time, albeit from a considerably different racing discipline.

The transition from international road-course competition to one of NASCAR’s most challenging ovals presents a unique test, but also another opportunity for the Texan to expand his versatility and continue his development behind the wheel.

For Bearden and Young's Motorsports, a productive Saturday night will be measured by continued improvement throughout the weekend, executing a complete race and positioning the No. 42 Chevrolet for a strong finish at one of NASCAR’s most unforgiving venues.

● Logan Bearden NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Darlington, Bearden has 16 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 22nd place finish in his series debut after starting 32nd in the 2024 ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway for SS-GreenLight Racing.

Since his 2024 debut, Bearden has recorded an average finish of 29.9 in series competition, adding starts at Bristol, Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Richmond Raceway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and Portland International Raceway, for AM Racing, Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, Mike Harmon Racing, RSS Racing, SS-GreenLight Racing and Young’s Motorsports, respectively.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Bearden has made four starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2022.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday night, he will be the crew chief in his 186th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 185 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.  

The season’s 25th race will mark Abbott’s 10th tango at Darlington Raceway as a crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Among his previous appearances at the “Track Too Tough to Tame,” Abbott guided series veteran Jeremy Clements to consecutive 12th-place finishes in 2019 and 2020, most recently in the Toyota 200 on May 21, 2020.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Darlington Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ sixth and seventh start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Darlington Raceway.

In the organization’s five previous races, the team has earned a track-best 23rd-place finish during the 2024 edition of the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200, with then series rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel.

In Darlington, the organization’s five previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 32.2 and an average finish of 30.0.

Earlier this season, drivers Ryan Ellis and Nathan Byrd delivered 32nd and 34th-place finishes in the spring  Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 17 starts at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2020, producing a 24.0 average finish.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 10th, earned by Kaden Honeycutt in the series’ ninth race of the 2023 Truck Series season.

● 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 114 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.6 and an average finish of 25.0.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Logan Bearden, please visit LoganBearden.com, like his Facebook page (Logan Bearden Racing), or follow him on Instagram (logan_bearden), TikTok (@loganbearden_) and Twitter | X (@LoganBearden66).

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).

Logan Bearden Quoteboard:

On Darlington Raceway Debut: “I’m really excited to finally have the opportunity to race at Darlington.

“It’s one of those tracks you grow up watching and hearing so much about because of its history and how difficult it is. There’s really nothing else like it on the NASCAR schedule.

“I know there’s going to be a learning curve, especially with how quickly the tires fall off and how close you have to race to the wall, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“My goal is to learn as much as possible every time we’re on the track and continue getting more comfortable as the weekend progresses.”

On Keys to Success at Darlington Raceway: “I think patience is going to be extremely important for me, especially with this being my first race at Darlington.

“You have to respect the track, take care of the tires and understand that the car is going to change considerably throughout a run.

“I’ll be leaning heavily on everyone at Young’s Motorsports and my crew chief Andrew (Abbott) throughout the weekend. They have experience at Darlington, and that knowledge is going to be extremely valuable.

“If I can listen to their feedback, communicate what I’m feeling in the race car and stay disciplined, I think we can continue improving throughout the night.”

On Goals for Darlington Raceway: “The biggest goal is to make progress throughout the weekend and put together a complete race.

“Darlington is going to challenge me in ways that some of the other tracks I’ve raced at haven’t, and I’m realistic about that. I want to keep the No. 42 Chevrolet clean, stay on the lead lap for as long as possible and learn something every lap.

“If we can be patient, minimize mistakes and be in a position to race for a strong finish at the end of the night, I think we can consider it a productive Darlington debut.”

On 24HR Garage Door Service Partnership: “I’m really excited and thankful to have 24HR Garage Door Service come aboard as our primary partner at Darlington Raceway this weekend.

“Their support is a big part of making this additional race with Young’s Motorsports possible, and I’m incredibly grateful that they believe in me and what we’re working to accomplish.

“With 24HR Garage Door Service headquartered right here in South Carolina and serving the Charlotte area as well, I think Darlington is a perfect place to showcase their company and introduce their brand to NASCAR fans.

“Hopefully, we can keep the No. 42 24HR Garage Door Service Chevrolet in contention throughout the night,

give them plenty of television exposure and reward their support with a strong finish that can help open the door to expanding our relationship in the future.”

On NASCAR Euro Series Weekend at Autodrom Most: “Last weekend at Autodrom Most was definitely a confidence-building weekend for me.  

“To come away with two top-10 finishes and earn a career-best sixth-place result was extremely rewarding, especially with how hard everyone at Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks Motorsport has worked throughout the season.

“We’ve continued to make progress every time we go to the racetrack, and to leave the Czech Republic inside the top 10 in the championship standings and with a 16-point lead in the Challenger Trophy gives us a lot to be proud of heading into the Playoffs.

“Now, I have to completely reset because Darlington is about as different from Autodrom Most as you can get. Going from a road course in the Czech Republic one weekend to the ‘Track Too Tough to Tame’ the next is a pretty unique challenge, but I’m excited about it and grateful to have the opportunity to compete in both.”

On NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m incredibly thankful to Tyler (Young), Kelly (Barfield) and everyone at Young’s Motorsports for adding Darlington to my schedule.

“Every NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start is important to me because it gives me another opportunity to gain experience, work with the team and continue developing as a driver.

“I don’t take any of these opportunities for granted. I want to make the most of every lap, represent Young’s Motorsports and our partners well and continue showing that I’m capable of progressing at this level.

“Hopefully, we can have a productive weekend at Darlington and continue opening the door for more opportunities together before the season is over.”

Race Information:

The Fleetio 200 (147 laps | 200.8 miles) is the 25th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., Sept. 5, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. Qualifying will begin immediately after, at 2:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day, shortly after 7:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

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