Young's Motorsports Rockingham Speedway April Team Preview

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

Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway | North Carolina Education Lottery 250

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: 29th | 2026 Owner Points Position: 35th

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 afternoon’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway 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 171 career starts in series competition.

Known for his consistency, professionalism, and versatility both behind the wheel and in the garage, Ellis aims to apply his experience to elevate Young’s Motorsports’ competitive presence in its third season of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● All-Aboard!: For the eighth of 33 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’s 250-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 Gives Fans More Ways to Watch NASCAR: Fans have even more ways to watch and record NASCAR action with Tablo, as 4th Generation Tablo DVR owners can now access and record The NASCAR Channel, delivering 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, bringing Tablo’s total to 106 free streaming channels — in addition to the ability to watch and record free local broadcast TV using a TV antenna and Tablo whole-home DVR.

● Now Available on Tablo: AMC Networks is excited to partner with Tablo TV to bring the AMC Thrillers brand onto the racetrack and showcase the free destination for a can’t-miss collection of heart-racing, edge-of-your-seat action.

Available to stream for free on Tablo TV, AMC Thrillers gives viewers access to pulse-pounding films, including Cabin Fever: Patient Zero, The Shed and more.

You can also stream some of TV’s most iconic shows for free, like the zombie apocalypse drama of The Walking Dead on The Walking Dead Universe channel, the golden age of advertising featured in Mad Men on the Stories by AMC channel, and more.

AMC Networks delivers the kind of can’t miss content that keeps audiences coming back, lap after lap.

We are incredibly proud to partner with AMC Networks to co-brand the AMC Thrillers and Tablo TV car for driver Ryan Ellis at Rockingham Speedway - bringing two brands that are about delivering edge-of-your-seat excitement together on one of racing's biggest stages,” said Alicia Hackett, Tablo TV VP, Platform Sales & Partnerships.

“And we're thrilled to offer Tablo TV viewers such an amazing catalogue of free, premium AMC entertainment, alongside the ability to watch live races on The CW subscription-free.”

● Thanks for Your Support: In addition to Tablo TV, Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports continue to welcome the support of Franco Building & Remodeling for the lone trip to “The Rock” on Easter weekend.

Franco Building & Remodeling is a veteran-led North Carolina construction company specializing in high-quality residential renovations, known for disciplined project management, skilled craftsmanship and practical solutions that get the job done right.

Led by general contractor Adam Franco, the company takes pride in transforming everything from kitchens and bathrooms to structural repairs and full-home remodels into lasting spaces that homeowners love.

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Rockingham Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s feature event marks Ellis’s second start at the legendary 0.940-mile Rockingham Speedway oval.

In his previous outing at “The Rock,” Ellis finished 33rd after starting 23rd in last April’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 for DGM Racing.

Despite the result, Ellis was contending for a solid top-20 finish before being swept up in a late-race accident that spoiled the team’s strong performance.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 4, for the next race of the 2026 season at Rockingham Speedway.

As part of a tripleheader weekend at the historic North Carolina venue, the action begins Friday, April 3, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series before continuing Saturday with a doubleheader featuring the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series East Cook Out 125.

The 0.940-mile D-shaped oval of Rockingham Speedway presents a unique challenge on the schedule, demanding tire management, long-run discipline and adaptability as drivers battle the abrasive surface that has long defined racing at “The Rock.”

With its rich history and reputation for wearing out both equipment and drivers, Rockingham Speedway offers no shortage of intensity as teams search for speed while balancing tire falloff and track position.

Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at “The Rock” as the No. 02 team continues its push through the 2026 campaign.

With one of NASCAR’s most demanding and historic tracks on deck, the weekend provides another opportunity for Ellis to strengthen his position in the championship standings and showcase the organization’s continued growth at the national level.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Rockingham, Ellis has 171 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.

● Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | NFPA 250 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional stop in the heart of Virginia with its first visit of the season at the iconic Martinsville Speedway for last Saturday afternoon’s NFPA 250.

Young’s Motorsports used the 0.526-mile short track as an opportunity to gather valuable notes while aiming for a solid finish to carry momentum into the spring stretch.

After a strong practice session that saw the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet post a lap inside the top-10, qualifying left the team wanting more, placing them 32nd on the starting grid.

Despite starting deep in the field, Ellis quickly went to work in his No. 02 Tablo TV Chevrolet, methodically picking his way through the field within the tight confines of Martinsville Speedway.

Ellis’s hard work and perseverance were ultimately hindered by brake issues, forcing the team to the garage and resulting in a disappointing 36th-place finish.

Despite the final result, the team was encouraged by its pace throughout the weekend and looks to carry that speed into a busy April.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding 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, he will be the crew chief in his 29th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 28 races, he has two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The season’s eighth race will serve as his first event atop the pit box at Rockingham Speedway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Rockingham Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ second and third starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham Speedway.

In the organization’s previous race, the team has earned a track-best 15th-place finish during last spring’s edition of the North Carolina Education Lottery 250, with series veteran Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel.

In Rockingham, the organization’s previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 34.0 and an average finish of 15.0.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made three starts at Rockingham Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, with an average finish of 22.0.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 14th, earned by Nathan Byrd in the series’ seventh race of the 2025 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 80 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.0 and an average finish of 24.4.

● 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 Pre-Race Quotes:

On Rockingham Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to getting to Rockingham this weekend. It’s a place with a lot of history, but with the new surface and configuration, it’s going to be a real challenge for everyone.

“Tire management is going to be huge, and you have to be disciplined because it’s easy to overstep early in a run. I think it comes at a good time for us, too — we had speed last weekend that didn’t show in the result, so we’re looking to carry that over and execute a full race.

“If we can stay out of trouble, take care of our equipment and keep the tires underneath us, I think we can put together a solid finish for this No. 02 Tablo TV team.”

On Keys to Success at Rockingham Speedway: “I think the biggest key to success at Rockingham is discipline. It’s really easy to push too hard early and burn your tires off, so you’ve got to be smart and think ahead throughout the run.

“Track position is important, but it’s just as important to have something left at the end. If we can manage our tires, stay out of trouble and execute on pit road, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good spot to have a solid day with this No. 02 team.”

On Tablo TV Partnership: “It’s been really great to have Tablo TV on board with us, and we’re excited to continue building that relationship this weekend at Rockingham.

“They’ve been a strong supporter of our program, and it means a lot to represent a brand that’s all about making it easier for fans to watch and enjoy content.

“To also welcome AMC into the mix this weekend is really cool — it just adds to the momentum we’re building as a team. Hopefully, we can give both Tablo TV and AMC a strong run and keep putting them up front where they belong.”

On Martinsville Speedway Finish: “It was definitely a frustrating finish for us at Martinsville. I felt like we had a lot more speed than the result shows, especially early on when we were able to move forward through the field.

“Unfortunately, the brake issues took us out of contention, but I’m really proud of the effort from everyone on this No. 02 team. There are a lot of positives we can take away, and hopefully we can carry that speed into Rockingham.”

On 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Goals: “Our goal for 2026 and beyond is still the same — continue to improve every weekend and build something sustainable together.

“We know the start of the season hasn’t gone the way we’ve wanted, but there’s been a lot of effort behind the scenes and more speed in the car than the results show.

“Young’s Motorsports is putting in the work to take that next step, and I want to be a part of that. If we stay focused, clean up the little things and execute, the results will come. It’s about progress, chemistry and continuing to move forward.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Nathan Byrd

Primary Partner(s): Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc.

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: 42nd | 2026 Owner Points Position: 33rd

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, aiming to make an immediate impact with its second full-time entry, continuing this weekend at Rockingham Speedway.

Fan-favorite Nathan Byrd returns to the organization for the second consecutive race and will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the eighth of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.

● About Nathan: Byrd, 26, began racing go-karts in 2018, just after graduating High School, and he entered his first car race in February 2020.

Since then, the Goodyear, Ariz. native has raced over 30 types of cars in 348 total races at 67 different race tracks, effectively becoming one of the most diverse and interesting race car drivers in the world.

Completing more than 300 races in the first four years of his career, Byrd is no stranger to piloting race cars.

In 2024, the Indianapolis, Ind. resident turned his attention to NASCAR. He successfully made his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Portland International Raceway and delivered a respectable 21st-place finish for DGM Racing.

In September 2024, Byrd made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series debut at Kansas Speedway, earning a respectable 19th-place finish after starting 32nd.

Last year, Byrd continued his foray into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, making 15 starts for Young’s Motorsports. His campaign was highlighted by three top-15 finishes, including a career-best 14th-place result in back-to-back races at Rockingham Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, respectively.

Byrd’s most recent NASCAR national series start came during his sixth career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. He has made additional NOAPS starts this season at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway and Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, respectively.

● All-Aboard! For the eighth of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Texas-based Young’s Building Systems and Randco, who partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 200-lap race on Saturday night.

Since 1981, Young’s Building Systems has been providing West Texas with all their metal building needs. This family-owned and operated business has become an industry favorite due to the experience gained and the professional results completed.

Young’s Building System is a division of Randco Industries, Inc. We have expanded into a company that has the ability to erect any type of building, from a small single-story to a city high-rise.

Our customers have multiple uses for our buildings, including commercial, residential, agricultural, industrial, skid-mounted buildings and compressor station buildings.

We also have a team that specializes in stairs and railings of all shapes and sizes. Young’s Building Systems is fully insured for your peace of mind, so we carry workmen’s compensation and general liability coverage that goes above and beyond State requirements.

Our company is fully equipped with moving and lifting equipment along with compressors, generators and welding equipment. We have the tools and equipment needed to support large, demanding projects. Our work ethic is based on the principles of quality, promptness, and customer experience.

Young’s Building Systems continuously raises our standard of excellence and works hard to make sure that each and every one of your needs are met.

● Nathan Byrd O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Rockingham Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s feature event marks Byrd’s inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the legendary 0.940-mile Rockingham Speedway oval.

Byrd, however, did participate in last year’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, finishing a career-best 14th after starting 28th in last year’s Black’s Tire 200 for Young’s Motorsports.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 4, for the next race of the 2026 season at Rockingham Speedway.

Nathan Byrd will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet in his fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the 2026 season this weekend, aiming to capitalize on prior experience at Rockingham Speedway and deliver a competitive performance for the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization.

With one of NASCAR’s historic venues on deck, Saturday’s race at Rockingham Speedway presents Byrd with another opportunity to continue building his national series résumé while contributing to Young’s Motorsports’ continued presence on the national stage.

● Nathan Byrd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Rockingham, Byrd has six NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 21st-place finish in his series debut after starting 35th in the 2024 Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland International Raceway for DGM Racing.

`ge finish of 29.8 in series competition, adding starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Darlington (N.C.) Raceway, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway for DGM Racing, SS-GreenLight Racing and Young’s Motorsports, respectively.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Byrd has made 18 starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2024.

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

On Saturday, he will be the crew chief in his 170th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 169 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season's eighth race will be his second tango at Rockingham Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In his previous leadership effort at Rockingham, Abbott has earned a track-best 15th-place finish, with driver Anthony Alfredo in the 2025 April edition of the North Carolina Education Lottery 250.

In Rockingham, the organization’s previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 34.0 and an average finish of 15.0.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made three starts at Rockingham Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, with an average finish of 22.0.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 14th, earned by Nathan Byrd in the series’ seventh race of the 2025 Truck Series season.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Nathan Byrd, please visit byrdracing.com, like him on Facebook (Nathan Byrd), and follow him on Instagram (@nathanjbyrd) and X |Twitter (@nathanjbyrd).

Nathan Byrd Quoteboard:

On Rockingham Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to getting back to Rockingham this weekend. It’s a track that really challenges you as a driver with how much tire wear there is over a run, so discipline and patience are going to be really important.

“I was able to race there last year in the Truck Series and come away with a solid finish, so I feel like that experience definitely gives me some confidence heading into the weekend. It’s my first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at ‘The Rock,’ so for me it’s about continuing to learn, managing the race and putting ourselves in position for a strong finish.”

On Rockingham Speedway Goals: “The goal for Rockingham is to put together a clean, complete race and continue building experience in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“It’s a place where you really have to take care of your equipment, so being smart and staying disciplined throughout the run is going to be important.

“If we can manage our tires, stay out of trouble and execute as a team, I think we can put ourselves in position to be there at the end and come away with a solid finish.”

On Returning to NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Competition: “I’m really excited to be back competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and grateful for the opportunity.

“You never take these chances for granted, so for me it’s about making the most of every lap, continuing to learn and building chemistry with the team.

“It’s a competitive series, and I’m focused on putting together a solid performance.”

On Celebrating Easter: “Easter is a really meaningful time of year for me, and it’s a chance to reflect on my faith and everything that comes with it — gratitude, perspective and the blessings we sometimes take for granted.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to do what I love and for the support of my family, team and partners who make it all possible.

“Being able to race on a weekend like this is special, and hopefully we can put together a solid run and carry that positive momentum forward.”

Race Information:

The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 (250 laps | 235 miles) is the eighth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., April 3, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 2:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., April 4, 2026, shortly after 2:30 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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Young's Motorsports Rockingham Speedway April Team Preview

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