Young's Motorsports Watkins Glen International May Team Preview

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

Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International | Mission 200 at The Glen

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: 36th

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 Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International 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 176 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 13th 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 82-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: As recently announced, 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

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Watkins Glen International Stats: Saturday afternoon’s battle in the Finger Lakes of New York marks Ellis’s sixth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile road course that continues to deliver dynamic road course racing.

In his previous outings at the Watkins Glen, New York-based track, Ellis delivered a track-best finish of 15th after starting 35th in the fall 2024 edition of the Mission 200 at The Glen while driving for Alpha Prime Racing. Overall, he holds an average finish of 25.2 at the popular venue.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, May 9, for the second road course race of the 2026 season at Watkins Glen International.

The event is part of a busy four-race weekend in the Finger Lakes region, beginning Friday, May 8, with a doubleheader featuring the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday, and culminating Sunday, May 10, with the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on Mother’s Day.

Known for its fast, flowing layout and technical braking zones, Watkins Glen International presents a unique challenge compared to traditional oval racing.

With a combination of high-speed esses, tight corners, and elevation changes, drivers must balance aggression with precision to maximize lap time.

Passing zones are limited but critical, particularly entering Turn 1 and the Inner Loop, where heavy braking creates opportunities for out-braking maneuvers.

Track position and pit strategy often prove decisive, as teams work to maintain clean air while managing tire wear and fuel windows throughout the race.

Mistakes can be costly, with little margin for error on corner exit and throughout the technical sections of the circuit.

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

With one of NASCAR’s premier road courses 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 Watkins Glen, Ellis has 176 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.

● Texas Motor Speedway | Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional spring stop in the Lone Star State for last Saturday afternoon’s running of the Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Another mile-and-a-half track brought an opportunity for optimism for the Young’s Motorsports team.

With a completely different weather forecast between practice and qualifying, and race conditions on Saturday, Ryan Ellis charged from his 38th starting position and avoided early-race chaos filled with multiple incidents to focus on the balance of his No. 02 Eclipse Claims Consulting Chevrolet.

As the race settled into a rhythm, the team continued to chip away at the car's handling, making calculated decisions to improve performance on each run.

Strong adjustments from crew chief Eddie Troconis allowed Ellis to make steady gains through Stage 2, setting the tone for a productive long green-flag run in the final stage.

Ellis stayed patient through late-race drama, ultimately earning a respectable 24th-place finish — picking up 14 positions from the green flag to the checkered flag while leading the Young’s Motorsports brigade at the team’s hometown track.

The performance mirrored the team’s previous intermediate outing, where Ryan Ellis finished 22nd after starting 29th at Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 300.

For Ellis and the Young’s Motorsports team, the result continues to build a foundation of consistency, offering an opportunity to carry valuable lessons from the early part of the season into stronger performances as the 2026 campaign progresses.

● 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, Troconis will call his 34th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 33 starts, he has recorded two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The season’s 13th race will mark his second O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Watkins Glen International and his first since 2021, when he guided series veteran Josh Williams to a 14th-place finish after starting 19th.

Additionally, Troconis has one NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at Watkins Glen, earning a track-best 12th-place finish with driver Kaz Grala in 2021.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Watkins Glen International: This weekend’s Mission 200 at The Glen will mark Young’s Motorsports’ third and fourth appearances at Watkins Glen International in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

In the team’s two previous efforts at the seven-turn road course, rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. delivered the organization’s strongest performance. After qualifying 32nd, Honeyman showcased his road course prowess, charging through the field to secure a competitive 16th-place finish on the lead lap.

Beyond its growing résumé in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization brings additional experience to Watkins Glen through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program.

Since 2021, Young’s Motorsports has made four Truck Series starts at Watkins Glen, highlighted by a track-best 12th-place finish in its debut during the 2021 United Rentals 176 at The Glen.

Across those appearances, the team owns an average starting position of 26.3 and an identical average finishing position of 26.3.

● 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 90 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 24.8.

● 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 Watkins Glen International: “Watkins Glen is one of those tracks that really challenges you as a driver. It’s fast, technical, and you have to be disciplined with your braking zones and hitting your marks, but it’s also a place where you can make up ground if your car is handling well and you execute.

I’ve always enjoyed road course racing, and The Glen is one of the best we go to. It’s all about finding that rhythm and being aggressive in the right spots — attacking the braking zones while still taking care of your equipment over a long run.

“The guys at Young’s Motorsports have been working hard to keep improving our program, and we’ve been building some momentum, so I’m looking forward to getting back there with our No. 02 Tablo TV Chevrolet and seeing what we can do. If we can put everything together, I think we’ve got a good shot at coming away with a solid finish.”

On Keys to Success at Watkins Glen International: “Watkins Glen is all about execution. You’ve got to be disciplined in the braking zones, hit your marks every lap, and stay in rhythm through the esses. Track position is huge, so minimizing mistakes and having a clean race is going to be key.

Strategy always comes into play here too — whether it’s pit timing or managing your tires over a long run. If we can keep our No. 02 Tablo TV Chevrolet in a good window and put ourselves in position late, I think we’ll have a shot to come away with a solid finish.”

On Road Course Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: “Road course racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is a completely different discipline compared to the ovals. It puts a lot of emphasis on braking, shifting and hitting your marks, but also staying patient and managing your race over the course of a run.

“You’ve got to be aggressive when the opportunity is there, but smart enough not to overstep because mistakes can cost you a lot of track position.

“It really challenges you as a driver, but also the whole team with strategy, pit cycles and making sure the car handles well in multiple types of corners.

“At the end of the day, it’s about putting together a complete race — minimizing mistakes, staying in rhythm and executing when it matters most. It’s a different kind of challenge, but one I really enjoy.”

On Continued Partnership with Tablo TV: “We’re really proud to continue our partnership with Tablo TV. They’ve been a great supporter of our program, and it means a lot to have them on board with Young’s Motorsports.

"We take a lot of pride in representing our partners the right way, both on and off the track, and anytime they’re on the car, you want to go out and deliver a strong performance.

"We’re looking forward to getting Tablo TV back on the No. 02 this weekend and hopefully putting together a solid run to give them something to be proud of.”

On 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Goals: “Our goal for 2026 and beyond is still the same — to keep building, improving and creating something sustainable with Young’s Motorsports that we can be proud of long term.

“As we get closer to the halfway point of the season, I think we can see the progress starting to show. The results may not fully reflect it yet, but there’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and we’ve had more speed in the car than we’ve been able to capitalize on.

“I feel like we’re starting to put the pieces together now. The communication continues to get stronger, the execution is improving, and that’s what it takes to start turning that potential into consistent results.

“The focus for us is to keep building on that — clean up the small details, put together complete races and continue putting ourselves in position. If we do that, the finishes will come, and we can carry that momentum into the second half of the season.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Will Rodgers

Primary Partner(s): Drydene Performance Products

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: N/A | 2026 Owner Points Position: 35th

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 Texas Motor Speedway.

Road course specialist Will Rodgers returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization this weekend, set to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Young’s Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the 13th race of the 33-race 2026 schedule.

● About Will: A native of Maui, Hawaii, Rodgers began his racing career in go-karts at the age of nine before transitioning to motocross at 13.

After capturing a regional championship on two wheels, Rodgers expanded his racing résumé into off-road competition before making the move to sports car racing in 2015.

By 2016, his road racing prowess opened the door to NASCAR’s development ranks, competing in the ARCA Menards Series, where he earned four victories at premier road courses, including New Jersey Motorsports Park, Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

While sponsorship has limited his ability to compete full-time, the personable and respected driver has still compiled 10 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts since 2019, along with six NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series appearances, most recently at last fall’s Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.

Rodgers is also a graduate of NASCAR’s Next program, having participated in the initiative during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

When he’s not behind the wheel, Rodgers plays a critical role high above the racetrack as one of the sport’s most trusted spotters. On Sundays, he serves as the eyes and ears for Erik Jones in the NASCAR Cup Series with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

● All-Aboard! For the 13th of 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes long-time Rodgers supporter Drydene Performance Products as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s 82-lap event.

For more than a century, Drydene lubricants have been made in America and made to last – paving the way on our highways, in our fields, and on the production line.

And we’re still here today, doing what we do best: helping America Get the Job Done.

Drydene products are built with ALL Technology®, Advanced Lubricity Life chemistry, to meet and exceed the demands of today’s modern heavy-duty commercial and industrial equipment.

Drydene offers a complete line of commercial and industrial lubricants, including engine oils, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), transmission fluids, grease, and hydraulic and gear oils.

Learn more at  Drydene.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

● Additional Support: For Rodgers’ first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the season, he’ll have additional associate partnership support from RelaDyne.

RelaDyne acquired Drydene Performance Products on September 28, 2021. As a result of the acquisition, Drydene now operates within RelaDyne’s portfolio of brands, serving as a key product line for commercial, industrial and heavy-duty lubricant solutions.

RelaDyne is the nation’s largest seller of lubricants and a market leader in fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and industrial reliability services, serving industrial, commercial and automotive businesses across North America.

Founded in 2010 through the merger of four industry leaders, RelaDyne has grown to more than 190 locations through a strategic track record of acquiring top-performing companies.

Our mission is simple: deliver lubrication excellence that drives reliability, efficiency and profitability for our customers.

By understanding the unique needs of every partner, our dedicated Associates act as an extension of their operations, providing unmatched products, services and expertise.

Learn more at RelaDyne.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

● Spreading the Word!: Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation will also join the organization to serve as a major secondary marketing partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the second NOAPS road course race of the season.    

The Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation was formed from the inspiration of Will Rodgers’ personal struggle, fight, and endurance with Liver Disease.

We were formed to help fill the gaps for those affected with liver health issues by providing education, testing resources and a link to care.

The Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation’s vision is to build awareness and provide education on liver disease, remove any barriers to the treatment of liver diseases for targeted demographics, provide a link-to-care and eliminate negative stigma surrounding liver disease.

● Will Rodgers O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Watkins Glen International Stats: Saturday afternoon’s battle in the Finger Lakes of New York marks Rodgers’ inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Watkins Glen International, the historic 2.45-mile road course renowned for producing some of the sport’s most dynamic road racing.

While the popular driver has yet to make an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the upstate New York venue, he enters the weekend with valuable experience in the Empire State.

Rodgers previously made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at Watkins Glen in 2021, but his most notable success at the circuit came in the NASCAR-owned ARCA Menards Series East. Across two starts between 2017 and 2018, he delivered impressive results, including a victory in his series debut at the track after starting second.

He followed that performance with a runner-up finish in the 2018 Great Outdoors RV Superstore 100, charging from 17th on the grid to secure the podium result. In total, Rodgers boasts an average finish of 1.5 at Watkins Glen in ARCA competition, highlighted by 35 laps led.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, May 9, for the second road course race of the 2026 season at Watkins Glen International.

The event is part of a busy four-race weekend in the Finger Lakes region, beginning Friday, May 8, with a doubleheader featuring the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday, and culminating Sunday, May 10, with the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on Mother’s Day.

Known for its fast, flowing layout and technical braking zones, Watkins Glen International presents a unique challenge compared to traditional oval racing.

With a combination of high-speed esses, tight corners, and elevation changes, drivers must balance aggression with precision to maximize lap time. Passing zones are limited but critical, particularly at the entrance to Turn 1 and in the Inner Loop, where heavy braking creates opportunities for out-braking maneuvers.

Track position and pit strategy often prove decisive, as teams work to maintain clean air while managing tire wear and fuel windows throughout the race.

Mistakes can be costly, with little margin for error on corner exit and throughout the technical sections of the circuit.

Rodgers and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at Texas as the No. 42 team continues its push through the 2026 campaign.

With one of NASCAR’s premier road courses on deck, the weekend provides another opportunity for Rodgers to gain valuable experience, continue his development and showcase his road course prowess on the national stage.

It also presents a valuable opportunity for Young’s Motorsports to strengthen its road course notebook at Watkins Glen International with Rodgers’ proven expertise.

● Will Rodgers NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Watkins Glen, Rodgers has 10 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 12th-place finish after starting 22nd in the 2019 B&L Transport 170 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Brandonbilt Motorsports.

Since his 2019 debut, Rodgers has recorded an average finish of 25.2 in series competition across nine different tracks, including Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Circuit of The Americas, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Iowa Speedway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Road America (Wisc.) and Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. During that span, he has competed for Brandonbilt Motorsports, Cope Family Racing, Motorsports Business Management (MBM) Motorsports, RSS Racing and Sam Hunt Racing.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Rodgers has made six starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2021 and owns four career victories across the NASCAR-owned ARCA Menards Series platform.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Rodgers 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 175th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 174 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.  

The season's 13th race will be his sixth tango at Watkins Glen International as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. 

In his previous leadership effort at WGI, Abbott earned a track-best 11th-place finish, with driver Jeremy Clements in the 2019 edition of the Zippo 200 at The Glen.

● Young's Motorsports' NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Watkins Glen International: This weekend’s Mission 200 at The Glen will mark Young’s Motorsports’ third and fourth appearances at Watkins Glen International in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

In the team’s two previous efforts at the seven-turn road course, rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. delivered the organization’s strongest performance. After qualifying 32nd, Honeyman showcased his road course prowess, charging through the field to secure a competitive 16th-place finish on the lead lap.

Beyond its growing résumé in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization brings additional experience to Watkins Glen through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program.

Since 2021, Young’s Motorsports has made four Truck Series starts at Watkins Glen, highlighted by a track-best 12th-place finish in its debut during the 2021 United Rentals 176 at The Glen.

Across those appearances, the team owns an average starting position of 26.3 and an identical average finishing position of 26.3.

● 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 90 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 24.8.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Will Rodgers, please like him on Facebook (Will Rodgers), follow him on Instagram (@willrodgers_) and X | Twitter (@willrodgers65).

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).

Will Rodgers Quoteboard:

On Watkins Glen International: “Watkins Glen is one of those tracks every road course racer looks forward to, and it’s a place I’ve always felt at home.

“I’ve had some success here in the past, so to come back and make my NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at a track that suits my style means a lot. I’m really grateful to Young’s Motorsports, Drydene and RelaDyne for the opportunity.

“The goal is to maximize the weekend, continue learning, help build the team’s road course notebook and put ourselves in position for a strong finish. If we can execute and stay out of trouble, I think we can have a really solid day.”

On Keys to Success at Watkins Glen International: “Watkins Glen is all about rhythm and execution. You’ve got to be aggressive in the braking zones but still protect your track position, especially with how important restarts can be here.

“The esses are critical for carrying speed, and if you can get through there clean, it really sets up the rest of the lap. Strategy will play a big role too with stage breaks and pit calls, so it’s about staying disciplined, keeping the car in one piece and putting ourselves in position when it matters most.”

On Goals for Watkins Glen International: “First and foremost, we want to have a clean, mistake-free race and be there at the end.

“For me, it’s about maximizing every lap, continuing to learn in this series and building a strong notebook for Young’s Motorsports on the road courses.

“If we can execute, stay on strategy and put ourselves in position late, I believe we’re capable of coming away with a really solid finish.”

On Preparing for Potential Rain at Watkins Glen International: “Racing in the rain at Watkins Glen definitely adds another layer to it. It becomes more about feel and being smooth with your inputs — throttle, braking, everything.

“You’ve got to be patient, especially in the braking zones and through the esses, where things can get slick in a hurry.

“I’ve had some experience in wet conditions on road courses, so I feel comfortable if it comes down to that. It’s really about staying disciplined, communicating with the team and making the right adjustments to keep ourselves in a good position throughout the race.”

On O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity with Young’s Motorsports. They’ve been building a solid program, and to be able to come back and work with a group I’ve already had some experience with means a lot.

“We had a top-15 finish together at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL last fall in the Truck Series, so there’s already a level of comfort there.

“For me, it’s about making the most of every lap, bringing feedback that can help strengthen their road course program and putting together a complete weekend.

“Hopefully, we can translate that into a strong result and something we can build on moving forward.”

Race Information:

The Mission 200 at The Glen (82 laps | 200.9 miles) is the 13th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., May 9, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:35 a.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 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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