Parker Retzlaff looks to improve on his season at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo Credit: Ronnie Coffey)

Roulette Recap follows a randomly selected driver throughout a race to break down their efforts. There is no telling ahead of time how the race will go. The driver could face calamity on the opening lap or start from the rear and win the race. With that, may the odds be ever in the driver’s favor.

NFPA 250

Driver: Parker Retzlaff
Organization & Number: Viking Motorsports, #99
Crew Chief: Danny Efland
Spotter: Doug Campbell, Jr.

Qualifying for the NFPA 250 was rained out. Thus, the lineup was set by the rulebook. Parker Retzlaff has had a strong start to the season, with an average finish of 13.3. This afforded him a P10 starting spot for the day. 

Stage 1

As the green flag waved on the first true short track of the season, Parker Retzlaff quickly gained two positions. Within six laps, he was battling Jesse Love and Corey Day for position. While he could not immediately get around Love, he put distance between his car and Day.

However, on Lap 14, Retzlaff passed Love and secured P7. He was in the same spot when the first caution came 20 laps later.

(Photo Credit: Viking Motorsports | X)

Crew chief Danny Efland brought his driver to the pits for a round of changes. Retzlaff returned to the track in P22, and Efland felt this call was the best way to “control the race.”

Unfortunately, Retzlaff got caught speeding on pit road, which forced him to the tail end of the longest line. The penalty put him in P32, but he immediately found himself three wide. He gained two spots, and with eight to go in the stage, he was told, “They’re already being stupid up front. Run your race.”

Three more spots were gained, and with four to go, the caution waved again. NASCAR noted this caution would end the stage.

Retzlaff was scored in P27.

Stage 2

He remained on track and started Stage 2 in P9, running the same strategy as those around him.

Immediately, he was again in a three-wide situation and gained two spots.  He maintained P7 as the caution waved.

(Photo Credit: Tiffany Faw | Pit Pass Network)

Following a lengthy cleanup, there were only 20 laps left in the stage. He lost two spots when the caution came again, just a few laps later, this time for debris.

Efland opted to pit under the quick caution, which saw Retzlaff return to the track in P16 with eight to go in the stage. Once again, he was in a precarious three-wide pack, and when the green-white-checkered waved, he was running P12.

Stage 3

The final stage started with 120 left in the race and Retzlaff in P7. As he was running with Patrick Staropoli, the No. 48 sent him for a spin. This put him back in P34.  Efland opted to bring Retzlaff in for fresh tires. Once the race resumed, he gained a spot before the caution waved again.

The No. 99 team was encouraged, and Retzlaff was told, “This plays into our favor.”

With 101 to go, Retzlaff restarted P26, and as the laps ticked by, he moved up to P22.

However, with 75 to go, he was back in P26 and noting a lack of forward drive. Five laps later, a much-needed caution came, and Efland had a plan of attack for the final stretch.

After pitting, Retzlaff faced 62 to go from P26. Eight laps later, the caution waved again, with only one spot gained.

(Photo Credit: Ronnie Coffey)

Retzlaff was frustrated over the radio, stating, “I feel like we have a really good car, but can’t go anywhere.”

Efland brought Retzlaff to the pits, and the race resumed with 48 to go. Following a great deal of beating and banging, Retzlaff moved to P24. Within eight laps, he gained two more spots. Then, as he took 35 to go, he moved to P21, and once again, the caution waved.

He immediately radioed in, “That felt really, really good right there.”

25 To Go

With 25 to go, Retzlaff was running P20. He gained a spot, but the caution waved again. He was told, “It’s getting ugly. Get your popcorn out.”

Retzlaff lined up P18 with 17 to go, but a huge pileup, which collected 17 cars, occurred at the green flag, and forced a red flag.

The No. 99 team assessed the situation under red and noted a flat tire, as well as a quarter panel that was “about to fall off.” The team planned to bring Retzlaff in as quickly as possible.

With fresh tires, Retzlaff returned to the track in P18 with 12 to go, and spotter Doug Campbell, Jr. anticipated a quick caution.

Sure enough, that caution came one lap later. During that lap, Retzlaff gained a position.

He took five to go in P16 and jumped two spots on the restart. Before taking the white, he was punted to P11.

As the caution waved for a wreck, and signaled the end of the race, Retzlaff took the checkered P11.

(Photo Credit: Parker Retzlaff | X)

The team was encouraged by the fight and drive, especially as Retzlaff worked his way from the back of the field multiple times.

Next weekend, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes on Rockingham Speedway!

NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to SciAps. They played a huge part of the weekend for Parker and the No. 99 team.

Be sure to give Parker Retzlaff (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Viking Motorsports (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.