Anthony Alfredo Shows Top-10 Speed Before Mechanical Issue Derails Strong Run at Chicagoland
JOLIET, Ill. (July 5, 2026) — Anthony Alfredo and the No. 96 Viking Motorsports DUDE Wipes Chevrolet continued to demonstrate the team's growing speed Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway before an untimely mechanical issue ended what was shaping up to be one of the organization's strongest performances of the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season.
Following heavy rain that washed out qualifying and delayed the start of the Cuervo 300 until nearly 10:00 p.m. ET, the starting lineup was set according to the NASCAR Rule Book, placing Alfredo seventh on the grid for NASCAR's long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway.
From the drop of the green flag, Alfredo immediately showed the No. 96 Chevrolet had the speed to race inside the top 10. He maintained a strong pace throughout the opening segment, crossing the line 10th in Stage One to earn a valuable championship point.
Although the team surrendered track position during the opening pit cycle, Alfredo refused to let the setback define his race. Displaying impressive long-run speed, he methodically carved his way back through traffic, passing numerous competitors as the run progressed. By the end of Stage Two, the Ridgefield, Connecticut, native had rallied to a 14th-place finish, continuing to demonstrate the speed Viking Motorsports has consistently shown over the past several race weekends.
As the final stage began, Alfredo believed the No. 96 team was in position to contend for a top-15 finish—and potentially even more.
Unfortunately, just a few laps into the final stage, a failure in the left-front suspension dramatically changed the course of the evening.
The Viking Motorsports crew worked tirelessly on pit road to make repairs without taking the car behind the wall, allowing Alfredo to continue despite the damaged suspension. Their efforts kept the DUDE Wipes Chevrolet on the racetrack, where Alfredo carefully managed the wounded race car to the finish, salvaging a 26th-place result.
"We started pretty well and picked up a point with our 10th-place finish in Stage One," Alfredo said. "We were really fast on the long run, and even after losing track position on pit road, we passed a lot of cars and fought back to finish 14th in Stage Two. I honestly felt like we had at least a top-15 car. Unfortunately, something broke in the left-front suspension at the beginning of the final stage, and that totally changed our race. It's frustrating when something like that happens, but it's part of racing. We're not going to let it stall our momentum because we've had great speed the last few weeks."
Despite the disappointing finish, Alfredo remained encouraged by the continued progress of Viking Motorsports and is already focused on next weekend's race at EchoPark Speedway.
"I think we're getting better every week, and we can certainly build on the things we've learned as a team and the speed we've been bringing," Alfredo said. "Atlanta is one we can certainly win, and that's exactly what we're going there to do."
Alfredo also welcomed the return of Chicagoland Speedway to the NASCAR schedule.
"This has always been a great track. I don't know why we stopped coming here. It always put on some of the best racing I watched as a fan, and getting to race here certainly validated that. I'd love to come back."
The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series now heads to EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, on Saturday, July 11, where Alfredo and the No. 96 Viking Motorsports team will look to turn their recent speed into another strong result as they continue climbing the championship standings.
About Anthony Alfredo
Anthony Alfredo is a full-time competitor in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and one of the sport's most recognizable young drivers. Nicknamed "Fast Pasta," Alfredo has competed across NASCAR's national touring series while earning a reputation as a talented racer, respected ambassador, and fan favorite. Driving the No. 96 Chevrolet for Viking Motorsports, Alfredo continues helping build one of the series' fastest-rising organizations.
About Viking Motorsports
Viking Motorsports is a growing NASCAR organization competing full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Focused on performance, driver development, and continuous improvement, the team continues to make significant strides while building a competitive program capable of challenging established organizations throughout the series.
About DUDE Wipes
DUDE Wipes is America's leading flushable wipe brand, delivering innovative personal care products with a bold personality and a commitment to helping people stay fresh. Founded by lifelong friends and propelled into the national spotlight through Shark Tank, DUDE Wipes has become one of the fastest-growing brands in its category while creating memorable marketing campaigns and partnerships across professional sports, including NASCAR.
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