Young's Motorsports Talladega Superspeedway April Team Preview

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

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | Ag-Pro 300

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Ryan Ellis

Primary Partner(s): ZEROES Premium Beverages

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis

2026 Driver Points Position: 27th | 2026 Owner Points Position: 32nd

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 Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway 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 174 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 11th of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes ZEROES Premium Beverages as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s 113-lap event.

ZEROES is a trailblazing ready-to-drink alcohol beverage redefining how modern consumers enjoy cocktails — with zero sugar, zero carbs, and just 90 calories per can.

Proudly veteran-owned and American-made, ZEROES delivers bold flavor and premium vodka in a clean, easy-drinking format made for active, on-the-go lifestyles. Whether you're winding down or turning up, ZEROES is the smarter way to sip — no mixers, no compromises, just great taste and real refreshment.

● Glad To Have You Aboard: Joining ZEROES Premium Beverages as a major partner for the first of two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this year from the famed Alabama race track is Dakota Riggers.

Dakota Riggers, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based supplier founded in 1982 that specializes in rigging, lifting equipment, industrial tools and fall protection gear, and a longtime supporter of the veteran driver.

The partnership continues a relationship built on loyalty and shared commitment, with Dakota Riggers maintaining a visible presence as Ellis and Young’s Motorsports chase another strong superspeedway result at Talladega.

“We’re proud to continue supporting Ryan and be part of his journey,” said Nick Gladue, President of Dakota Riggers.

“He’s been a big part of our story for a long time, and it’s great to see the momentum he’s building this season. Talladega is such a unique place, and we’re excited to be back on the car and look forward to a strong run this weekend.”

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Talladega Superspeedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s battle in the south marks Ellis’s eighth O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

In his previous seven outings in the Yellowhammer State, Ellis finished a track-best 11th after starting 36th in the spring 2023 edition of the Ag-Pro 300, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 21.1 at the track nestled in the Heart of Dixie.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 25, for the next race of the 2026 season with the running of the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.

The event is part of a busy weekend at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, with a doubleheader Saturday that begins with the ARCA Menards Series competing in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage later in the day.

The weekend concludes Sunday, April 26, with the NASCAR Cup Series contesting the Jack Link’s 500.

Known as NASCAR’s biggest and fastest track, Talladega Superspeedway delivers a unique brand of racing where momentum, drafting partners and precise timing often outweigh raw speed. The tight confines of the draft routinely produce three- and four-wide racing, with drivers making bold, calculated moves while navigating rapidly changing lanes.

With the constant threat of “the Big One” looming, survival is just as critical as speed, forcing teams to balance aggression with discipline as they position themselves for a shot at victory in the closing laps.

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

With one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues 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 Talladega, Ellis has 174 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.

● Kansas Speedway | Kansas Lottery 300 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional spring stop in the Midwest at Kansas Speedway for last Saturday night’s running of the Kansas Lottery 300.

The second 1.5-mile track of the season provided another opportunity for Ryan Ellis and the Young’s Motorsports team to continue building their notebook while gaining valuable insight with the No. 02 Tablo TV Chevrolet for the remaining intermediate races on the schedule.

After starting the 200-lap race from the 29th position following the cancellation of practice and qualifying due to inclement weather, Ellis and crew chief Eddie Troconis methodically worked on the car’s balance throughout the race.

The adjustments allowed Ellis to steadily climb through the field and take the checkered flag in 22nd, marking a solid outing for the Mooresville, N.C.-based team.

The result builds on the team’s effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the first intermediate track of the season, and provides a positive outlook as the schedule transitions deeper into the year.

Now, the team shifts its focus to Talladega Superspeedway for the second superspeedway race of the season, where the fast and wide 2.66-mile layout offers Ellis and the Young’s Motorsports team another opportunity to apply what they learned earlier this year at Daytona International Speedway and continue building momentum in the 2026 campaign.

● 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, he will be the crew chief in his 32nd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 31 races, he has two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The season’s 11th race will serve as his first event atop the pit box at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, although he has eight starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Talladega, which have produced a track-best of 13th with driver Christopher Bell in 2015.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Talladega Superspeedway: This weekend’s Ag-Pro 300 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fifth and sixth appearances at Talladega Superspeedway in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

The team made headlines in its Talladega debut in April 2024 when rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. delivered a breakout performance. After starting 33rd, Honeyman surged through the field to finish fourth, earning the family-owned operation its best-ever result in the series.

They returned to the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway that October looking to replicate that success. Despite a chaotic, attrition-filled race, Honeyman managed a respectable 14th-place finish after starting 19th.

Young’s Motorsports returned to Talladega in 2025 and continued to show speed at the high-banked venue. In the spring, Anthony Alfredo delivered the organization’s second top-10 finish at the track with a sixth-place effort after starting 19th.

However, the fall race proved more challenging, as the team was collected in an early accident and relegated to a 33rd-place finish.

Beyond its growing O’Reilly Auto Parts Series résumé, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization brings a wealth of experience to Talladega through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series program.

Since 2014, Young’s Motorsports has made 19 Truck Series starts at Talladega, earning two victories — most recently in October 2021 with Tate Fogleman.

Across those appearances, the team owns an average starting position of 22.7 and an average finishing position of 17.8.

● 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 86 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.2 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 Quoteboard:

On Talladega Superspeedway: “Talladega is one of those places where anything can happen, and that’s what makes it so exciting. You’re running three- and four-wide, inches apart, and everything happens so fast, so you have to be aggressive but also really smart about the moves you make and who you work with in the draft.

“It’s all about timing and understanding the air — you can have a really fast car, but if you don’t have the right help or make the wrong move at the wrong time, it can cost you. We learned a lot at Daytona earlier this year, and hopefully we can apply that this weekend.

“If we can stay patient, avoid the chaos and put ourselves in position at the end, I think our No. 02 team has a shot at a really solid finish.”

On Keys to Success at Talladega Superspeedway: “The biggest thing at Talladega is putting yourself in the right position at the right time. You’ve got to have a car that handles well in the draft, but it’s just as important to work with the right people and make smart decisions throughout the race.

“It’s really about patience and discipline — knowing when to go and when to stay in line. You can’t force the issue too early because things happen so quickly here, and you want to be around at the end.

“If we can keep our No. 02 car clean, stay out of trouble and execute when it counts, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good spot for a strong finish.”

On Superspeedway Racing with Young’s Motorsports: “I’ve really enjoyed racing on the superspeedways with Young’s Motorsports. We had a strong run at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year with a sixth-place finish, and that gave us a lot of confidence in what we’re building together.

“These guys understand what it takes to be successful at places like this, and you can see that with their history — especially with the two Truck Series wins at Talladega Superspeedway.

“That experience really matters when you get into these races. It gives you confidence as a driver knowing your team knows how to put you in position, and hopefully we can build on that this weekend and have another strong showing.”

On Continued Partnership with ZEROES Premium Beverages: “We’re really excited to welcome ZEROES Premium Beverages to Young’s Motorsports this weekend. It’s always special to bring a new partner into the program, and we’re proud to represent them on a big stage like Talladega.

“Everyone on this No. 02 team has been working hard to build momentum, and having ZEROES come on board gives us even more motivation to go out there and perform at a high level.

“Hopefully, we can give them a strong run right out of the gate and start building a great relationship together.”

On 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Goals: “Our goal for 2026 and beyond is to keep building and improving every weekend while creating something sustainable with Young’s Motorsports.

“We know the start of the season hasn’t gone exactly how we wanted, but I feel like we’ve made steady progress. There’s been a lot of effort behind the scenes, and we’ve had more speed in the car than the results have shown.

“I think we’re starting to put those pieces together. The communication is getting better, the execution is improving, and that’s what it takes to take the next step.

“If we stay focused, clean up the little things and keep putting ourselves in position, the results will come. It’s all about continuing to move forward and building that consistency.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: David Starr

Primary Partner(s): Breakthrough T1D

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: N/A| 2026 Owner Points Position: 28th

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 as the season rolls on at Talladega Superspeedway.

Fan-favorite and series stalwart David Starr joins the organization this weekend and will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the 11th of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.

● About David: A veteran of NASCAR national series competition, David Starr brings more than two decades of experience to the Young’s Motorsports lineup.

The 58-year-old Houston, Texas native has made more than 600 combined starts across the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

Starr is a four-time winner in Truck Series competition and enjoyed his best championship season in 2006, finishing a career-high fourth in the standings while driving for Red Horse Racing.

Known for his consistency and veteran racecraft, he remains a respected presence in the garage area with a wealth of experience across all track types, including superspeedway competition.

The Texan will make his first appearance in the series this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

● All-Aboard! For the 11th of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes Breakthrough T1D, who partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 113-lap race Saturday afternoon.

Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as JDRF) is the leading global nonprofit organization dedicated to type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy.

We are opening doors that were once closed by T1D diagnosis. We lead the way to more effective solutions by connecting the brightest minds to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care.

By driving innovation forward, Breakthrough T1D will make type 1 diabetes a condition of the past. 

Founded in 1970 by families affected by the disease, the organization rebranded in June 2024 to better reflect its mission of supporting people of all ages and stages of life with T1D.

● David Starr O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Talladega Superspeedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s battle in the south marks Starr’s 15th O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

In his previous 14 outings in the Yellowhammer State, Starr finished a track-best eighth after starting 23rd in the fall 2024 edition of the United Rentals 250, driving for SS-GreenLight Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 23.6 at the track nestled in the Heart of Dixie.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 25, for the next race of the 2026 season with the running of the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.

The weekend concludes Sunday, April 26, with the NASCAR Cup Series contesting the Jack Link’s 500.

Known as NASCAR’s biggest and fastest track, Talladega Superspeedway delivers a unique brand of racing where momentum, drafting partners and precise timing often outweigh raw speed.

The tight confines of the draft routinely produce three- and four-wide racing, with drivers making bold, calculated moves while navigating rapidly changing lanes.

David Starr and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at Talladega Superspeedway as the No. 42 team makes its first start together in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

With one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues on deck, the weekend provides an opportunity for Starr to lean on his veteran experience while the organization continues to showcase its growth at the national level.

● David Starr NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Talladega, Starr has 270 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fifth-place finish after starting 33rd in the 2017 edition of the Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for B.J. McLeod Motorsports.

Since his 2000 debut, David Starr has recorded an average finish of 25.7 across 21 seasons in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Starr 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 173rd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 172 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season's 11th race will be his 10th tango at Talladega Superspeedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In his previous leadership effort at Talladega, Abbott earned a track-best fourth-place finish, with driver Leland Honeyman Jr. in the 2024 edition of the Ag-Pro 300.

However, the fall race proved more challenging, as the team was collected in an early accident and relegated to a 33rd-place finish.

Beyond its growing O’Reilly Auto Parts Series résumé, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization brings a wealth of experience to Talladega through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series program.

Since 2014, Young’s Motorsports has made 19 Truck Series starts at Talladega, earning two victories — most recently in October 2021 with Tate Fogleman.

Across those appearances, the team owns an average starting position of 22.7 and an average finishing position of 17.8.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on David Starr, please like him on Facebook (David Starr Racing), and follow him on Instagram (@starr_racing), TikTok and X |Twitter (@starr_racing).

David Starr Quoteboard:

On Talladega Superspeedway: “Talladega is one of those places where experience really matters. You have to understand the draft, know who you can work with and be patient throughout the race because things can change in a hurry.

“I’ve been fortunate to run a lot of laps at these superspeedways over the years, and it’s all about putting yourself in position late and staying out of trouble. If you can do that and have a good group behind you, you’ve got a shot.

“I’m looking forward to getting to Talladega Superspeedway with Young’s Motorsports and seeing what we can do together.”

On Talladega Superspeedway Goals: “Our goal at Talladega is pretty straightforward — keep the car clean, stay in the mix and give ourselves a shot at the end. These races are all about positioning and making the right moves at the right time.

“With the experience this team has and what I’ve learned over the years, it’s about putting ourselves in position when it matters most. If we can do that and avoid trouble, I think we can come away with a solid finish for this No. 42 team.”

On O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m really thankful for the opportunity to get behind the wheel with Young’s Motorsports this weekend. It’s a great group of people, and I’ve always respected what they’ve been able to build over the years.

“They’ve had some solid success at Talladega, including wins in the Truck Series, so that gives you confidence going into a race like this. It shows they know what it takes to be competitive at these superspeedways.

“For me, it’s about making the most of the opportunity — going out there, giving them good feedback and putting together the best race we can. If we can stay out of trouble and be there at the end, I think we can have a strong run with this No. 42 team.”

On Working with Teammate Ryan Ellis at Talladega Superspeedway: “Having a teammate like Ryan Ellis at a place like Talladega Superspeedway is definitely a big advantage. These races are all about working together in the draft, communicating and trying to keep each other in a good position throughout the day.

“Ryan’s done a good job on the superspeedways this year, so having someone you can trust and work with makes a difference. Hopefully, we can help each other stay up front, avoid trouble, and give both of our Young’s Motorsports cars a shot at a strong finish.”

Race Information:

The Ag-Pro 300 (113 laps | 300.58 miles) is the 11th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Qualifying will begin on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Saturday, April 25, shortly after 3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

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