Michael O’Brien has won championships in the Charger division at multiple tracks in Eastern North Carolina, but his goal in 2026 is to just win races at Southern National Motorsports Park.

O’Brien has won championships at Southern National, Carteret County Speedway, and Coastal Plains Raceway in recent years. However, after Rusty Daniels’ hot start during Speed Week 2026, O’Brien has shifted his goals for the Southern National spring season, which runs until June 6.

“I feel like after the start Rusty had to the season and the start we’ve had, I think the championship is a long shot with the short season,” O’Brien said. “The only thing we can do is try to go out and win races and see how it plays out.”

For years, O’Brien has raced for Tracy Muse, a longtime car owner who has been battling cancer in recent years. Muse has continued to be a presence at Southern National, showing support for O’Brien and others while remaining in high spirits.

“Tracy’s done a lot for me over the years, from racing to even life,” O’Brien explained. “He helped me a lot on and off the track and I could never repay him or thank him enough for what he’s done for me and helped me accomplish. Not everyone knows but his cancer has actually come back, but he’s still in good spirits and is always there.”

For his part, O’Brien is simply enjoying his time at the track and continuing to race.

“I’m having a blast being able to race still,” O’Brien stated. “I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in the sport and been racing for almost 20 years total now. From starting in go karts with my uncle to driving for Tracy and his wife now, and everyone that has helped and continues to help.”

Through the years, O’Brien has seen the KONI Charger division grow, shrink, and grow again. In the past couple years, the division has seen a resurgence at Southern National with 20+ car fields becoming the norm rather than an exception.

“I think the growth of the Charger class is awesome,” O’Brien remarked. “Mike and Mason [Diaz] have done a really great job at getting it to where it is now and the competition has gotten really good. You’ve got numerous drivers that could possibly win any given race day and that makes it even better.”

During Speed Week, Rusty Daniels won two of the three Charger races and finished third in the finale with Bradley McCaskill winning the third race. Other challengers emerged during the races including Corey Wilson, Aiden McConnaughey, J.D. Eversole, Justin Mitchell, defending track champion Hunter Brown, and more. So far, O’Brien has a best finish of sixth on the season, a result he has recorded twice.

The KONI Chargers will be in action in Saturday’s The Sign Shop 135 at Southern National which will also feature racing for Legends, Any Cars, and the Southern National Vintage Racing Series. Tickets are available online and at the gate on race day. For those unable to attend, the race can be seen on Ultra Broadcasting.