NASCAR team makes the switch to Chevy and the team owner gives details on the alliance terms that caused the shift
Update: Team says they will now operate without an alliance in 2025
Viking Motorsports will look like a new team in the 2025 season. RSS Racing has been totally rebranded.
For 2025, the team will appear on the grid with a new number (formerly No. 38), new name (formerly RSS Racing), new pit crew and they’ll now have support from a new manufacturer as well as an alliance with Richard Childress Racing.
Matt Dibenedetto will be the driver of the No. 99 machine in their NASCAR Xfinity Series effort. The team has elected to make the switch to Chevy.
Switching manufacturers isn’t seen every often in the sport of NASCAR. But, there’s a lot that went on behind the scenes from the team owner’s point of view that resulted in the change.
Viking was previously a Ford backed team in 2024. This move comes after Stewart-Haas wanted $1.3 million for an alliance with only limited support, according to the owner.
DiBenedetto had a best-finish of 7th in 2024 which he claimed twice first at Iowa Speedway then again at Michigan International Speedway.
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Don Sackett comments on choosing the NASCAR team alliance
“Guys, here’s the story. Sorry if it isn’t what you want to hear,” Viking Motorsports owner Don Sackett stated via Facebook in a comment.
“Yes, we’re going Chevy. We’re getting some great tech from RCR. We realize it’s a crowded field with Chevy, but we have the best driver. If we build a solid team around the driver, we will be fine,” he said.
“We liked Toyota a lot. But JGR didn’t have an engine for us. They are sold out to other teams, fully booked. Hard to get fast without an engine.”
“Ford, SHR wanted $1.3 million per year for an alliance and we wouldn’t get any setup data, sim, or anything. Just a car delivered, so we learn nothing. That’s not a long-term sustainable plan.”
Stewart-Haas Racing has dissolved. For 2025, Gene Haas will become a single-car owner in the Cup Series with the Haas Factory Team. They’ll also field machines in the Xfinity Series.
“Plus, Ford can’t supply us spare parts. We’re totally at the mercy of Haas for parts as a sole supplier. That isn’t good.”
“Thus, Chevy was the least bad option. You’re going to have to trust us. We’re building a long-term program around Matt [DiBenedetto].”
“The key is to develop our own tech, get sim from Chevy when we can. We’ve got a great new pit crew. We’re going to be good.”
DiBenedetto spent 7 years in the NASCAR Cup Series with his most recent season in 2021. He collected 9 top-5s in 248 starts.
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Update: No team alliance in 2025
The team has since confirmed that they will run in 2025 as an independent team. That a change from previous comments that they will have an alliance with RCR.
“Our decision to be independent next year is based solely on what we think is in the best long-term interests for Viking,” Don Sackett stated.
