Young’s Motorsports is set to make a strong impression in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as the 2026 season progresses, with a key focus on the upcoming GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The team’s No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro, driven by Ryan Ellis, along with the No. 42 entry piloted by Nathan Byrd, will compete in this strategic short-track race, highlighting the organization’s push for growth on the national stage.
Team Details and Season Outlook for Young’s Motorsports’ No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro
The No. 02 team of Young’s Motorsports continues its upward momentum into its third year of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition. Veteran driver Ryan Ellis, who joined the organization in November 2025 as the full-time pilot, will lead the charge. Behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Camaro powered by Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines, and crew chiefed by Eddie Troconis, Ellis heads into the 2026 season ranked 21st in driver points and 22nd in owner points.
This season marks a significant shift as Young’s Motorsports commits the No. 02 entry full-time to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, transitioning it from its longtime home in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Ellis, a Virginia native with more than a decade of experience spanning NASCAR’s Cup, Truck, and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, aims to leverage his consistency and professionalism to propel the team forward across a 33-race schedule that starts with Phoenix and concludes at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Ryan Ellis’ Track Record and Expectations at Phoenix Raceway
Heading into the GOVX 200, Ellis will be making his eighth career start at the demanding one-mile Phoenix Raceway. His best previous finish at this venue came in his 2022 debut when he placed 16th driving for Alpha Prime Racing. Ellis holds an average finish of 23.0 at Phoenix in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, indicating solid but improvable performances ahead of the upcoming night race on March 7, 2026.
Ellis acknowledges the unique challenges of Phoenix Raceway, including progressive banking and tight corners, which demand tactical patience and flawless execution—especially during restarts and long green-flag runs where tire wear impacts performance.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted last weekend, but this No. 02 Young’s Motorsports team keeps making gains. If we qualify well and put ourselves in position, I’m confident we can be there when it matters and have a solid night.” – Ryan Ellis, Driver
Despite some setbacks in recent races, Ellis and the team remain optimistic, embracing the chance to improve at one of NASCAR’s most strategic short tracks and to build momentum toward the championship race in November.
Young’s Motorsports Welcomes Demco Products for the Phoenix Race
For the GOVX 200, Young’s Motorsports is proud to have Demco Products as the primary sponsor on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro. Demco’s roots trace back to Robert Dethmers, who first operated as a blacksmith and later ran an Allis Chalmers dealership before founding the Demco manufacturing company in 1964. Under current leadership from Bob Koerselman, Kevin Ten Haken, and James Koerselman, Demco has expanded its portfolio, innovating with products like the Kar Kaddy and 5th-wheel hitches, while remaining family-owned with strong ties to community and history celebrated in its Heritage Center and training facility DEPOT in Boyden.
Insights Into Ryan Ellis’ NASCAR Career and Recent Performance
Ryan Ellis brings extensive national series experience with 167 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, highlighted by a career-best sixth-place finish in the 2026 United Rentals 300 at Daytona after starting 32nd. Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has maintained an average finish around 26.4, demonstrating steady competitiveness and resilience.
From a recent race at Circuit of the Americas, Ellis and Young’s Motorsports showed clear progress, maintaining pace during qualifying and practice sessions before facing challenges late in the race that relegated them to 34th place. The team’s perseverance underscored their readiness to continue building on improvements as the season unfolds.
Strategic Leadership from Crew Chief Eddie Troconis
Eddie Troconis, a seasoned crew chief and engineer, guides Ellis’s efforts. By the time of the Phoenix race, Troconis will have served as crew chief for his 25th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event, with two top-10 finishes in his record. The Phoenix weekend marks his second time crew chiefing at this track since 2020, bringing valuable expertise for navigating its demanding race conditions.
Young’s Motorsports’ Performance History at Phoenix Raceway
Young’s Motorsports approaches its fifth start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Phoenix Raceway with a competitive average finish of 24.3 and a best result of 11th in 2024 during the Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 race. This experience is coupled with the team’s extensive presence in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, where it has completed 21 starts at Phoenix since 2014, including an eighth-place finish at the 2023 season finale with driver Kaden Honeycutt.
Since entering the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned team has accumulated 72 starts featuring one top-five and four top-10 finishes while keeping an average starting position near 26.2, signaling steady growth and potential for further advancement.
Introducing Young’s Motorsports’ No. 42 Entry Piloted by Nathan Byrd
Alongside Ellis, Young’s Motorsports fields the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Nathan Byrd, marking Byrd’s second full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Born in Goodyear, Arizona, Byrd began racing go-karts in 2018 and transitioned into stock car competition in 2020, rapidly gaining diverse experience across 348 races at 67 different tracks.
Byrd stepped into NASCAR national series in 2024 with DGM Racing and moved into the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, racing 15 times last year for Young’s Motorsports with several top-15 finishes. His most recent start at Phoenix came in the Truck Series finale on Halloween 2025, where he finished 15th, showcasing his ability to manage long races and tougher conditions.
Nathan Byrd’s Experience and Role at Phoenix This Season
Saturday’s race at Phoenix will be Byrd’s first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the desert oval, a venue that challenges drivers with its track layout, progressive banking, and high emphasis on track position. Supported by crew chief Andrew Abbott—who brings experience from 165 past series races and 10 previous calls at Phoenix with a best crew chief finish of 10th—Byrd aims to build on his prior hard-earned experience and contribute to the team’s collective ambition this season.
Byrd credits Young’s Motorsports for his ongoing development, emphasizing the importance of patience, tire management, and disciplined driving necessary at Phoenix.
“Finishing 15th there gave me a lot of confidence, and I’m hoping to build on what I learned in that race and translate it into a solid run for our No. 42 team.” – Nathan Byrd, Driver
“The focus for me is on executing, staying disciplined and putting together a strong performance for Young’s Motorsports this weekend.” – Nathan Byrd, Driver
Young’s Building Systems and Randco Industries Back the No. 42 Camaro
Young’s Building Systems and Randco Industries Inc. return as primary sponsors for Byrd’s No. 42 car in the 2026 season’s fourth race. Founded in 1981 and based in West Texas, these family-operated businesses specialize in metal building construction for commercial, agricultural, residential, and industrial use. Their commitment to quality and safety aligns closely with Young’s Motorsports’ values of precision and performance.
Event Preview and Schedule Highlights for Phoenix Raceway Weekend
The GOVX 200 on March 7, 2026, represents the fourth round in the 33-race NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule. Practice and qualifying sessions will precede the race on March 6, with live coverage available via The CW Network, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. This weekend at Phoenix is part of a motorsports quadruple-header including the ARCA Menards Series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and the NASCAR Cup Series’ headline Straight Talk Wireless 500 on Sunday, providing fans with a full slate of racing excitement.
Young’s Motorsports’ Growing Legacy and National Ambitions
As the 2026 campaign unfolds, Young’s Motorsports continues to fortify its presence in NASCAR’s upper echelons. The blend of seasoned talent like Ryan Ellis and emerging drivers like Nathan Byrd reflects the team’s balanced approach to competition and development. With sponsors deeply rooted in agricultural and industrial heritage, the organization embraces innovation and community values both on and off the track.
Ryan Ellis sums up the team’s aspirations clearly:
“Young’s Motorsports has been putting in the work to establish itself in this series, and I want to help take that next step. If we can stay consistent, run competitively every week, and continue to close the gap to the front, the results will follow. It’s about progress, chemistry, and execution. I’m ready to get started!” – Ryan Ellis, Driver
This determined and optimistic spirit signals a promising season ahead as Young’s Motorsports aims to maximize its performance in Phoenix and beyond, striving to climb the rankings and earn more top finishes throughout the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
