MOORESVILLE, N.C. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series veteran Brennan Poole informed team leadership that he will not return to Alpha Prime Racing next season, ending a three-year run at the organization.
Rarely will a team and driver form a better fit than Brennan Poole and Alpha Prime Racing. Since joining APR in 2024, Poole helped to establish the No. 44 team as one of the strongest independent entries in NASCAR racing.
Poole is the organization’s leader in starts (95), top fives (3), top 10s (11), and top 20s (64). The pairing is on track to finish top-20 in both Owner’s and Driver’s points for the third straight season.
Alpha Prime Racing Founder Tommy Joe Martins believes the perception of both driver, and team, has changed.
“He raised his profile and ours,” Martins said. “More than any team in the garage, Brennan and that group overachieve every year. He had something to prove and we’ve proved it. Together.”
APR presented Poole with an offer to return for the 2027 season, but the veteran driver chose to pursue another opportunity.
Owner Caesar Bacarella spoke on the decision saying, “it’s disappointing, for sure. He’s been a great driver for us and we feel like we’ve put a great team around him. But we appreciate everything.”
Martins echoed the sentiments, and also expressed his appreciation for the Woodlands, Texas driver.
“Of course we wanted Brennan and his partners to continue growing with us,” Martins said, “especially as we begin this new chapter with Ford Racing. So, yeah, it’s going to be really weird to see him driving another race car because the 44 means a lot to me.”
Martins continued saying, “Ultimately he feels like he’s making the right decision, and I respect it – I just disagree with him, obviously.” Martins remarked, “but look, I know it was a hard decision. We’ve got a great relationship and we still will. This is the business we’re in.”
In the midst of a tight top-20 battle for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver and Owner’s Points, Alpha Prime
Alpha Prime Racing’s plans for the No. 44 car and the 2027 driver lineup will be announced separately in the coming weeks.
