Wilde back racing in the sprint car ranks, chasing top 5 in NOSA points

Zach Wilde stopped racing after the 2021 season – but it was never meant to be a retirement.

He made his racing return in 2025 for a few shows behnd the wheel of his #6 NOSA Sprint Car. This year is his first full season back behind the wheel.

“I was never going to quit. I just had to take some time off,” said the Thief River Falls resident. “The stuff sat in the shop and was ready to go back out there. I’m happy to be back in there.”

In fact, being a part of the racing scene is a big appeal to the 38-year-old.

“Just being here and being out on the track,” Wilde said.

Wilde estimates his been racing for about 20 years.  He is a third-generation racer with the family history  dating back to his grandfather. For almost a decade, Zach raced in the sprints against his father, Brendan.

“When I graduated, I got into a car. Me and him raced together for about 10 years,” Wilde said. “It was awesome.”

Brendan is retired around but is still involved as a sponsor on Zach’s #6 car. Zach Wilde does have some sprint car feature wins but is still chasing that elusive first 410 sprint win.

The 2026 campaign has seen some positives and negatives for Wilde. In 16 shows he has four top 10 finishes with a best feature finish of sixth. But he’s also had some bad luck with 5 DNFs.

“It’s getting better. We just have little problems that hold us back,” Wilde said.  “We’re close; we’ve just got to get some more finishes.”

He does have some heat race victories and is doing well in the overall NOSA point standings, where he sits fifth.  There are only four NOSA shows left on the 2026 schedule.

“I’d like a few more time fives and hopefully shoot for a win,” Wilde said. “ I’d like to finish in the top five in points.”

Breaking through for a win, and running in the top five weekly at River Cities, is not easy in the NOSA Sprints because of the caliber of competition in the class.

“There’s a lot of good guys that can win at any night,” Wilde said.

Aside from driving his brother’s street stock one time, he has spent his whole career in a sprint car.

“The horsepower and the speed,” Wilde said of what he likes about the class. “There’s nothing else I’d rather race.”

Driver profile

Zach Wilde

NOSA Sprint #6

Residence: Thief River Falls, Minn.

Age: 38

Sponsors: Anchor Mechanical, Brenden Wilde Construction, IronMan, Seamless Rain Gutters, and Trash Your Dress for MDS.. It’s a charity