Tetreault Battles Early Season Adversity, Finds Speed Heading Into Busy 2026 Campaign

The 2026 racing season has already delivered its share of challenges and breakthroughs for sprint car driver Adrian Tetreault, as he works through early-season issues and builds momentum heading into the summer months.

Tetreault opened the season at Hattiesburg, where lingering engine issues from the end of the 2025 campaign resurfaced. Originally slated to compete in both Friday and Saturday events, Tetreault ultimately elected to run just on Friday after identifying a recurring problem.

“Right away, I could feel it missing a cylinder randomly,” said Tetreault. “When everything was firing, the car felt loose, but when it wasn’t, it would tighten up. It was a real handful to drive.”

Despite the setback, Tetreault managed a 16th-place finish before making the decision to head home early to prevent further damage.

Determined to find a solution, the team turned to engine builder John Howard. After extensive troubleshooting, the issue was traced to a faulty set of new injection nozzles that had been installed as part of a test program.

“We were essentially the guinea pig on a new set of nozzles,” Tetreault explained. “Once we pulled one out and realized it wasn’t getting idle air, everything started to make sense.”

The team replaced the faulty components with a proven set of used nozzles, immediately resolving the issue.

“It’s something we’ve been fighting for close to a year and a half,” he added. “To finally have it sorted out and feel that power again is a huge relief.”

With renewed confidence, Tetreault next traveled to North Carolina for an opportunity with prominent micro sprint and racing development figure Evan Garvy. The trip marked a unique experience, both on and off the track.

After a 12-hour haul to the Charlotte area, plans shifted quickly when a last-minute driver change was needed, opening the door for Tetreault to step in under less-than-ideal circumstances.

“We didn’t have time to reconfigure the seat, no hot laps, no heat race, nothing,” said Tetreault. “I basically went out for the feature with zero prep.”

Competing at the ultra-fast Carolina Speedway against a field dominated by 360 sprint cars, with Tetreault piloting one of only two 305 entries, the odds were stacked against him. Still, he charged forward from near the back of the field.

Starting second to last, Tetreault advanced through the field to an 11th-place finish, earning Hard Charger honors in the process.

“The biggest takeaway was how good and fast the car felt,” he said. “We didn’t want to risk tearing up equipment racing against bigger motors, so we pulled in before the end, but it was a really encouraging run.”

Saturday’s plans included putting Garvy behind the wheel, but after a full day of preparation, the team received word en route that the event had been canceled, resulting in another long trip back home without turning a lap.

Looking ahead, Tetreault is hopeful to reconnect with Garvy later this season, with potential plans including an appearance at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout in the Outlaw Wingless division.

During the offseason, the team also made a trip to Florida to acquire a 360 engine, which is currently being evaluated.

As the season progresses, Tetreault is also proud to welcome a strong group of partners supporting his efforts in 2026, including Evan Garvy, Driven Nootropics, William Denzer of Schaeffer Oil, Home of the Hustle, First Fence, Sticker Depot, and continued support through creative initiatives like 3D printing projects for Beer Hill Gang.

With early-season adversity now in the rearview mirror and performance gains beginning to show, Tetreault and is focused on building consistency and capitalizing on opportunities as the schedule unfolds.

“This is all part of racing,” Tetreault said. “You’re going to have ups and downs, but we’re heading in the right direction now. That’s what matters.”