Emerling to miss Homestead O'Reilly race for family

Patrick Emerling will not compete in Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, having been slated to drive the No. 38 RSS Racing entry. He announced on social media on Friday that his family is expecting a new addition, likely this weekend, and that he has decided to stay home with them.

Emerling said he loves racing but that family comes first. RSS Racing has yet to announce who, if anyone, will replace him in the No. 38 Ford for the race.

Emerling has had a strong 2026 season, winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship and making five combined starts in the NASCAR National Series. In 64 career O'Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, his best finish is 10th, achieved at Daytona International Speedway in the 2025 season-opening event. The race is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, with coverage on The CW from 5 PM ET.