Young’s Motorsports Prepares for Its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Debut at Iowa
The upcoming race at Iowa Speedway marks a milestone for Young’s Motorsports, a team that has been building its program since 2024 and is now stepping onto the national stage for the first time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Veteran Ryan Ellis, who boasts 186 career series starts and a career‑best sixth‑place finish at Daytona earlier this season, will pilot the No. 02 Chevrolet alongside rising star Nathan Byrd, who makes his series debut in the same event.
Ellis brings a wealth of experience to the track, having previously contested the Hy‑Vee Perks 250 at Iowa last year and finishing 14th, a result that fuels his confidence as he looks to improve on that performance.
Byrd, only 20 years old, has already logged more than 30 different car types since his career began in 2018, showcasing a versatility that team owner Leland Honeyman Jr. believes will translate well to the demanding oval at Iowa.
Young’s Motorsports has already notched a top‑five and four top‑10 finishes in its first 110 starts, a testament to the rapid progress made since the program’s inception. The team’s best result to date came when rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. placed 13th in the 2024 Iowa race, a finish the organization hopes to surpass.
Supporting a Cause Beyond the Track
The Iowa event will also serve as a platform for Demco Products and Farm Rescue, two partners that have joined the team to promote their ‘Built to Move, Driven to Rescue’ campaign, which raises awareness for agricultural assistance programs across the United States.
Demco Products, a leading provider of industrial supplies, and Farm Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to helping farmers in crisis, will be featured on the No. 02 and No. 42 Chevrolet liveries, blending competitive racing with a charitable mission.
Fans attending the race can expect a unique blend of high‑octane competition and a message that extends beyond the checkered flag, as the teams and sponsors work together to drive support for those who keep America’s farms running.
As the green flag drops, all eyes will be on the young drivers and the organization that has turned modest beginnings into a promising future, with the hope that the partnership will translate into on‑track success and greater visibility for the cause they champion.