2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series superlatives: Best drivers, moments and more

Through the opening 22 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races of the 2026 campaign, there has been an assortment of standout storylines, from title contenders to those on the come-up. This, in conjunction with always-exciting races, bright paint schemes and memorable moments, has made the season an unforgettable one to this point. 

That said, let's dive into the top superlatives so far this season, with data courtesy of Racing Insights and other standouts highlighted by NASCAR.com.

Top of the charts

The data: Justin Allgaier leads all drivers with six race victories, seven stage wins, 10 top-two finishes, 14 top-five finishes and 17 top-10 finishes for an 8.7 average finish. 

Comment: Are we looking at the 2026 O'Reilly champion already? We very well might be, with the 2024 O'Reilly titleholder already eclipsing his previous career high for victories in a single season. Keep in mind, it's July. Whether Allgaier can keep this pace going remains to be seen, but there's no denying that the O'Reilly veteran is already well on his way to title No. 2.

About time!

The data: Sheldon Creed earned his first victory at EchoPark Speedway after a record 15 runner-up finishes before his breakthrough win.

Comment: For the better part of two years, the question was always when Creed would finally find Victory Lane. Runner-up after runner-up, though, could have easily changed the question to if. Not for Creed, however. The No. 00 Haas Factory Team pilot stuck to his guns, continued to exhibit speed and put himself in position to win until fate finally lent a helping hand. And on the final lap at EchoPark Speedway in February, all of the pieces finally came together in thrilling fashion. 

Coming around 

The data: Carson Kvapil is the only full-time driver to race under three different car numbers this year. Kvapil leads all drivers in points earned since the first day of summer (June 21).

Comment: Navigating day-to-day operations with one team can be a busy assignment. How about three? Such has been the case for 23-year-old Kvapil, who has wheeled the No. 1 and No. 9 JR Motorsports machines this season, in addition to the No. 91 DGM Motorsports entry. No matter. If anything, challenge accepted. As the season has progressed, Kvapil has only gotten stronger, especially of late. Dating back to Naval Base Coronado (June 20), Kvapil has finished 11th or better in all five races, with his first series victory coming at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Making up for lost time 

The data: Brent Crews missed four races because of his age but is 13 points above the Chase cutline.

Comment: Though the 18-year-old Crews missed four of the opening six O'Reilly contests to begin 2026 due to age restrictions, you wouldn't know it by glancing at the standings. The No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing driver sits 11th in the table, thanks in part to an eye-popping eight top-five finishes, which is tied for second among full-time drivers.

The Viking 

The data: Parker Retzlaff’s four top-five finishes and 10 top-10 finishes in his first season with Viking Motorsports are both career highs.

Comment: The 23-year-old Retzlaff has quietly put together a career season already, with a respectable 12.8 average finish. Perched ninth in the standings, the opportunity for Viking Motorsports to clinch a Chase berth is very much on the table. In fact, a Chase position and even a race win could be within reach. That's how solid Retzlaff has been.

Perfect attendance

The data: Jeremy Clements leads all O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers with 448 consecutive starts.

Comment: Simply showing up can be just as impressive as winning, and the 41-year-old Clements exhibits that notion in spades. Let's put it like this: The last time Clements did not race in an O'Reilly contest was March 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway ... in 2013. "Harlem Shake" was a top music hit. In other words, yeah, it has been a bit since Clements has missed O'Reilly action.

There in the end

The data: Brennan Poole is the only driver running at the finish in all 22 races this season and has completed all but five laps.

Comment: In the same vein as showing up every weekend, finishing every race is equally impressive. It's simple math: Fewer DNFs mean more opportunities to collect consistent, solid performances. For a driver like Poole -- and a team like Alpha Prime Racing -- that kind of consistency is a huge boost. 

Supporting a good cause 

Best paint scheme: Brennan Poole's No. 44 The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund Chevrolet (Alpha Prime Racing). 

Comment: As usual, there are plenty of contenders for the top paint scheme so far this O'Reilly season. Poole's No. 44 livery here, though, which was driven at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, is bright on the eyes in more ways than one, with the scheme highlighting a worthy cause while also paying homage to the late Kyle Busch, who died May 21. 

Just incredible! 

Best race: Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 (at EchoPark Speedway).

Comment: Though the weather wasn't summertime hot, the Georgia contest still delivered the most exciting race -- among a laundry list of other contenders -- of the season so far. Eleven different drivers led at least one lap, with six leading double-digit circuits. The battle for victory came down to the final lap when NASCAR Cup Series full-timer Ross Chastain and five-time EchoPark winner Austin Hill collided while running first and second, opening the door for Sheldon Creed to seize the race lead and clinch his first career O'Reilly triumph.

Emotions aplenty 

Top moment: Austin Hill wins at Naval Base Coronado for Richard Childress Racing's first victory since the death of Kyle Busch.

Comment: A clutch last-lap pass at San Diego's Qualcomm Circuit netted Austin Hill his first career O'Reilly victory on a road course. The victory, however, held even more meaning for driver and team alike. The win was Richard Childress Racing's first as an organization since the death of longtime driver and sport icon Kyle Busch on May 21. "I'm not gonna lie, I started talking to this guy a little bit down the straightaways," Hill said while pointing to his No. 8 Busch hat. Hill found winning speed, prevailing in what has been the most memorable moment of the 2026 O'Reilly campaign.