Alpha Prime Racing

File:Parker Retzlaff 4 Xfinity Las Vegas 2025.jpg in the No. 4 car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2025]]

On December 18, 2024, it was announced that the No. 43 team would be renumbered to the No. 4, with newcomer Parker Retzlaff announced as the driver for 2025.{{cite web |url=https://frontstretch.com/2024/12/18/parker-retzlaff-joining-apr-for-2025/ |title=Parker Retzlaff Joining APR for 2025 |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |website=Frontstretch |date=December 18, 2024 |access-date=December 18, 2024}} On April 19, 2025 at Rockingham, Retzlaff scored the team's best finish in an Xfinity Race with a 3rd place finish, also tying his own best finish in an NXS race. However, just hours later, race winner Jesse Love got disqualified in post race inspection, bringing Retzlaff's finish to 2nd place, now overtaking the 2024 season opener as the best finish in his Xfinity Series career.

File:Ryan Ellis Xfinity Auto Club 2023.jpg in the No. 43 at Auto Club Speedway in 2023]]

On September 15, 2022, Alpha Prime Racing announced that Ryan Ellis would return for an increased number of races in 2023 with specific partnership announcements coming at a later date.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2022/09/15/ryan-ellis-returning-for-partial-xfinity-schedule-with-alpha-prime-in-2023/ |title=Ryan Ellis Returning for Partial Xfinity Schedule with Alpha Prime in 2023 |first=Dustin |last=Albino |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 19, 2023}} On December 20, the team announced it would be starting a third car with Ellis being the primary driver in 25 races with potentially more races being announced at a later date. He would complete 30 of the 33 races in the 43.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2022/12/20/alpha-prime-racing-running-three-full-time-cars-in-2023-ryan-ellis-named-primary-driver-of-no-43/ |title=Alpha Prime Racing running three full time cars in 2023; Ryan Ellis named primary driver of No. 43 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=September 19, 2023}} Caesar Bacarella drove the car to a sixth-place finish at Talladega. Leland Honeyman finished 28th at Portland, while Dylan Lupton finished 24th at Sonoma.

On August 4, 2023, APR announced that Ellis will run full-time in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/08/04/ryan-ellis-competing-full-time-for-alpha-prime-racing-in-2024/ |title=Ryan Ellis competing full time for Alpha Prime Racing in 2024 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=August 4, 2023 |access-date=September 19, 2023}}

File:Tommy joe martins (50237163588).jpg in the No. 44 at Daytona International Speedway in 2020.]]

On December 24, 2019, two years after shutting down its operations, Martins Motorsports announced its return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020, with longtime sponsor and family friend Rodney Riessen joining Craig Martins as the team's co-owners. The team will field the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Tommy Joe Martins.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2019/12/24/tommy-joe-martins-martins-motorsports-returns-to-nascar-xfinity-series-full-time-in-2020/ |title=Tommy Joe Martins, Martins Motorsports returns to NASCAR XFINITY Series full-time in 2020 |first=Scott |last=Page |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. |date=December 24, 2019 |accessdate=December 24, 2019}} The team bought chassis from GMS Racing and JGL Racing to help bolster its inventory, which already included a road course car Martins ran for MBM Motorsports in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Haverlin |first1=John |title=Tommy Joe Martins on restarting family team: 'This was always something we had on the backburner' |url=http://nmmotorsportsreport.com/2020/03/08/tommy-joe-martins-on-restarting-family-team-this-was-something-we-always-had-on-the-backburner/ |website=New Mexico Motorsports Report |accessdate=May 10, 2020 |date=March 8, 2020}} The team failed to qualify for the season-opening race at Daytona, and had to temporarily lay off all of its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Albino |first1=Dustin |title=Eyes on Xfinity: Tommy Joe Martins Focused on Building Martins Motorsports |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2020/10/21/eyes-on-xfinity-tommy-joe-martins-focused-on-building-martins-motorsports/ |website=Frontstretch |accessdate=October 22, 2020 |date=October 21, 2020}} Midway through the season, the team hired Buddy Sisco as crew chief and results turned around. On October 24, Martins recorded both his and the team's first top-10 finish at Texas Motor Speedway with a 10th-place finish; Martins had confirmed a 2021 return earlier that month.{{cite web |last1=Beard |first1=Brock |title=XFINITY: Timmy Hill sets up LASTCAR battle with Stephen Leicht; Brown, Vargas, Martins, and Currey enjoy career-best runs |url=http://brock.lastcar.info/2020/10/xfinity-timmy-hill-sets-up-lastcar.html |website=LASTCAR.info |accessdate=October 29, 2020 |date=October 29, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Albino |first1=Dustin |title=Eyes on Xfinity: Tommy Joe Martins Focused on Building Martins Motorsports |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2020/10/21/eyes-on-xfinity-tommy-joe-martins-focused-on-building-martins-motorsports/ |website=Frontstretch |accessdate=October 29, 2020 |date=October 21, 2020}}

On August 30, 2021, the team announced it had formed a partnership with Caesar Bacarella, renaming the team to Alpha Prime Racing (after Bacarella's fitness brand) beginning with the 2022 season. Martins, Bacarella and Rajah Caruth are signed to drive for the team in 2022.{{cite web|last=Tomlinson|first=Joy|date=August 30, 2021|title=Tommy Joe Martins, Caesar Bacarella Pair for New Xfinity Team, Sign Rajah Caruth|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2021/08/30/tommy-joe-martins-caesar-bacarella-team-up-in-new-xfinity-team-sign-rajah-caruth/|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Frontstretch}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2021/08/alpha-prime-racing-formed-by-tommy-joe-martins-and-caesar-bacarella-signs-rajah-carruth/|title=Alpha Prime Racing formed by Tommy Joe Martins and Caesar Bacarella, signs Rajah Carruth|website=thecheckeredflag.co.uk|last=Nguyen|first=Justin|access-date=August 30, 2021|date=August 30, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/rajah-caruth-nascar-xfinity-ride-2022/6657546/amp/|title=Rising star Rajah Caruth will run part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|website=Motorsport.com|access-date=August 30, 2021|date=August 30, 2021}} On November 22, 2021, Bacarella was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for a violation of the sanctioning bodies substance abuse policy. A team statement issued by Tommy Joe Martins (in his capacity as General Manager) said that Bacarella had taken a workout supplement that he was unaware was on the banned substance list and that Bacarella is expected to be reinstated in time for the first race of 2022.{{Cite web|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|date=2021-11-22|title=Mike Harmon Docked Points For 2022, Caesar Bacarella Suspended|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2021/11/22/mike-harmon-docked-points-for-2022-caesar-bacarella-suspended/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=www.frontstretch.com|language=en-US}} On February 14, 2022, Bacarella was reinstated by NASCAR;{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2022/02/14/caesar-bacarella-reinstated-by-nascar/ |title=Caesar Bacarella Reinstated by NASCAR |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=February 15, 2022}} Martins would drive the car in the opening race at Daytona, with Bacarella instead driving the No. 45.{{cite web |title=NASCAR Xfinity Series at Daytona: Entry list, TV schedule for the Beef. It's What's For Dinner. 300 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/nascar-xfinity-series-daytona-entry-110010759.html |website=www.yahoo.com}}

On December 13, 2022, Alpha Prime Racing said in a press release that Jeffrey Earnhardt will be competing full time for the team in 2023. One of Earnhardt's long-time sponsors, ForeverLawn, will serve as the primary sponsor for the entry for multiple events.{{cite web |last1=Srigley |first1=Joseph |title=Jeffrey Earnhardt Competing Full-Time for Alpha Prime Racing in 2023 |url=https://tobychristie.com/2022/12/13/jeffrey-earnhardt-competing-full-time-in-no-44-for-alpha-prime-racing-in-2023/ |website=TobyChristie.com |access-date=30 December 2022 |date=13 December 2022}} However, in the race at COTA, Earnhardt was swapped out in favor of Sage Karam, who only completed 23 laps before engine issues kept him from finishing the race. Earnhardt continued to race the #44 until Darlington in May, when he was swapped to the #45 permanently. Since then, several drivers have driven the #44 car, including Karam, Rajah Caruth, Daniel Dye, and Greg Van Alst. The car failed to qualify for 6 races in the season. At Martinsville in October, Rajah drove the #44 Chevrolet to a 12th-place finish, the best finish of the season for the team.

On November 9, 2023, Alpha Prime Racing announced that Brennan Poole would drive for the team full-time in 2024 with primary sponsorship from Finance Pro Plus (20 races) and Macc Door Systems (10 races).{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Brennan Poole to Pilot No. 44 Alpha Prime Entry Full-Time in 2024 Xfinity Series |url=https://tobychristie.com/2023/11/09/brennan-poole-to-pilot-no-44-alpha-prime-entry-full-time-in-2024-xfinity-series/ |website=TobyChristie.com}}

On March 29, 2025, Poole got Alpha Prime their 1st ever Top 5 finish on a non-superspeedway with a 4th place finish at Martinsville, while also running in the top 10 for the last 20 laps. Three weeks later at Rockingham, Poole once again got APR a top 5 on a non-superspeedway with a 5th place finish (4th after a post-race inspection DQ). Parker Retzlaff also finished 3rd (2nd after the DQ), giving APR their first ever double top 5.

File:MartinsMotorsportsLogo.png

File:Jeffrey Earnhardt 45 Xfinity Sonoma 2023.jpg in the No. 45 at Sonoma Raceway in 2023]]

On April 14, 2017, the team announced a nine-race Xfinity slate for 2017{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/nxs/2017/story/_/id/19159420/martins-motorsports-returns-nascar-xfinity-series|title=Martins Motorsports Returns to NASCAR XFINITY Series|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-04-18}} with Tommy Joe Martins,{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2017/04/14/martins-motorsports-announces-switch-to-nascar-xfinity-series/|title=Martins Motorsports Announces Switch to XFINITY Series|date=2017-04-14|website=Frontstretch|access-date=2017-04-18}} car No. 45{{Cite web|url=http://www.popularspeed.com/martins-motorsports-returns-at-bristol/|title=Martins Motorsports Returns at Bristol|website=Popular Speed|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-18}} and sponsor Diamond Gusset Jeans,{{Cite news|url=https://speedsport.com/nascar/xfinity-series/martins-motorsports-returns-xfinity/|title=Martins Motorsports Returning To XFINITY Series|date=2017-04-14|work=Speed Sport|access-date=2017-04-18|language=en-US}} starting with the spring race at Richmond and focusing primarily on short to intermediate tracks with the exception of the Indianapolis race.{{Cite web|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/04/14/tommy-joe-martins-moving-from-truck-to-xfinity-series/|title=Tommy Joe Martins moving from Truck to Xfinity Series|last=Long|first=Dustin|date=2017-04-14|website=NASCAR Talk|access-date=2017-04-18}} After failing to qualify and withdrawing from the first two planned events, the No. 45's schedule was folded into a ride with B. J. McLeod Motorsports, which culminated with a career-best 11th-place finish at Iowa for the driver.{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2017/10/19/eyes-on-xfinity-tommy-joe-martins-still-surviving-in-nascar/|title=Eyes on XFINITY: Tommy Joe Martins Still Surviving in NASCAR|website=www.frontstretch.com|date=19 October 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-12-31}}

On January 5, 2021, Alpha Prime Racing announced the number for their second full-time entry to be 45 and on January 6 announced Sage Karam to be one of the drivers.

On December 2, 2022, Alpha Prime Racing announced that Sage Karam will be returning in 2023 in 17 racing, starting with the spring race at Atlanta.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Sage Karam Reveals More Details About New 2023 Deal With Alpha Prime |url=https://tobychristie.com/2022/12/02/interview-sage-karam-gives-more-details-about-2023-nascar-xfinity-series-campaign-with-alpha-prime-racing/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=TobyChristie.com |language=en-US}} On December 23, 2022, Alpha Prime announced that Stefan Parsons will also be returning for select races in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Stefan Parsons Returns To Alpha Prime Racing |url=https://alphaprimeracing.net/news/news-fwfcr-z25fs-jwwcz |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Alpha Prime Racing |language=en-US}} Caesar Bacarella will also be driving the car at Daytona and Talladega.

The No. 45 scaled back to a part–time schedule in 2024. Confirmed drivers are Bacarella for at least four superspeedway races, and Brad Perez for the race at the Circuit of the Americas.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2024/01/03/alpha-prime-to-run-part-time-schedule-in-2024/ |title=Alpha Prime to run part-time schedule in 2024 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2024/01/08/brad-perez-returning-to-alpha-prime-racing-at-cota-named-teams-reserve-driver/ |title=Brad Perez returning to Alpha Prime Racing at COTA; named team’s reserve driver |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=January 8, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2024}} On July 16, Alpha Prime acquired the owner points from the JD Motorsports No. 4 for the No. 45 at Indianapolis, after JD Motorsports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2024/07/16/alpha-prime-racing-acquires-owner-points-from-jd-motorsports/ |title=Alpha Prime Racing acquires owner points from JD Motorsports |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=July 16, 2024 |access-date=July 16, 2024}}

This car was the team's secondary focus in their 2014 foray, with Clay Greenfield behind the wheel at Daytona. However, he along with Willie Allen failed to qualify, making Martins Motorsports 0 for 2 in that race.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/2014_DRIVE4COPD_300/B|title=02/22/2014 race: DRIVE4COPD 300 (NXS) - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} The car withdrew the next week after no driver was found to drive it. The team then took time off to prepare for the spring Bristol race, where Tommy Joe Martins crashed in qualifying and withdrew.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/2014_Drive_to_Stop_Diabetes_300/B|title=03/15/2014 race: Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 (NXS) - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} To recoup from that, the team did not return until Michigan, when Benny Gordon qualified the car but then switched to Martins when he failed to qualify the 76.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/2014_Ollies_Bargain_Outlet_250/B|title=06/14/2014 race: Ollie's Bargain Outlet 250 (NXS) - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}}

File:76 Tommy Joe Martins passenger side NASCAR Nationwide 2014 Gardner Denver 200 at Road America.jpg in 2014.]]

The primary focus in 2014, Nationwide veteran Willie Allen failed to qualify the 76 at Daytona and Bristol.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/martito01/2014/B|title=Driver Tommy Joe Martins 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} Tommy Joe Martins then took over the reins of what was left as the team's only entry after the demise of the 67, making eight races in the 76 and failing to qualify for four, including its last three attempts. The team primarily start and parked, but ran full races at higher-paying events like at Talladega and Charlotte.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/martito01/2014/B|title=Driver Tommy Joe Martins 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} The team's last attempt was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.onpitroad.com/?p=38140|title=Martins Motorsports Making XFINITY Series Return|website=www.onpitroad.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-18}}

The team debuted in 2011 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with Tommy Joe Martins behind the wheel. The team returned at Iowa Speedway in 2017 with Matt Mills behind the wheel and additional races to be determined.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/trucks/2017/story/_/id/19695223/martins-motorsports-returns-truck-series-competition-matt-mills-iowa|title=Martins Motorsports returns to Truck Series competition with Matt Mills in Iowa|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-06-21}} Though the car never hit the track that weekend, the scheme was included in the original version of NASCAR Heat 2. The additional races were in the team's No. 44 entry. Martins returned for the 2017 Jag Metals 350 but a possible suspension problem led to a wrecked truck in practice, and a blown right-front tire three laps into the race ended Martins' weekend. The backup truck was loaned from fellow independent Mike Harmon.{{Cite web|url=http://brock.lastcar.info/2017/11/trucks-hard-luck-tommy-joe-martins.html|title=TRUCKS: Hard-luck Tommy Joe Martins' weekend a tale of two trucks|website=brock.lastcar.info|access-date=2017-12-31}}

The first race for Martins Motorsports was in 2009, when Tommy Joe Martins ran a four race schedule, recording a best finish of 21st at Chicagoland.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/martito01/2009/C|title=Driver Tommy Joe Martins 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} The team and driver returned for one race as the No. 42 in 2011, finishing 33rd at Lucas Oil Raceway.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/martito01/2011/C|title=Driver Tommy Joe Martins 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} After taking all of 2015 off to recover from a failed Xfinity Series effort, the team returned in 2016 with Martins as the full-time driver except for a qualifying crash at Martinsville (spot sold to Austin Wayne Self),{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/selfau01/2016/C|title=Driver Austin Wayne Self 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} Eldora (dirt racer J. R. Heffner),{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/heffnj.01/2016/C|title=Driver J.R. Heffner 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}} and a DNQ at Homestead-Miami.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/martito01/2016/C|title=Driver Tommy Joe Martins 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-18}}

On February 13, 2017, Martins Motorsports announced a partnership with another family Truck team, Brandonbilt Motorsports,{{Cite web|url=http://www.popularspeed.com/martins-motorsports-brandonbilt-motorsports-form-partnership/|title=Martins Motorsports, Brandonbilt Motorsports Form Partnership – POPULAR SPEED|website=www.popularspeed.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-18}} to put driver Brandon Brown in the 44 truck for "select races".{{Cite news|url=http://kickinthetires.net/index.php/2017/02/12/brandonbilt-motorsports-martins-motorsports-combine-for-select-2017-races/|title=Brandonbilt Motorsports, Martins Motorsports Combine For Select 2017 Races|date=2017-02-13|work=Kickin' The Tires|access-date=2017-04-18|language=en-US}} However, the operations of the 44 truck ceased with the 2017 Xfinity announcement except for Heffner again piloting the truck at Eldora.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NAS&id=662&line=45206&spln=1|title=Fantasy Sports Breaking News - Rotoworld.com|website=www.rotoworld.com|access-date=2017-04-19}} After ceasing operations, owner points of the 44 truck were sold to Faith Motorsports. When that team ran into organizational trouble mid-season, Matt Mills drove the truck for a race at Kentucky but crashed out. The much-anticipated return of Heffner the following race{{Cite news|url=http://raceproweekly.com/rpw/2017/07/jr-heffner-heading-back-to-eldoras-dirt-derby-with-high-hopes/|title=JR Heffner Heading Back To Eldora's Dirt Derby With High Hopes|date=2017-07-14|work=Race Pro Weekly|access-date=2017-12-31|language=en-US}} was derailed due to a blown engine early in the weekend, the entry never making it to the grid. After the Eldora race, the 44 became a joint-prepared effort between Martins and AM Racing. That relationship lasted through the end of the season except for Faith and Ted Minor running a Las Vegas shooting paint scheme at Texas.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/rquery?id=44&trk=t0&series=C&cn=1&yr=2017|title=NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-12-31}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/trucks/2017/story/_/id/21098259/minor-faith-motorsports-run-vegas-tribute-texas|title=Minor, Faith Motorsports to run Vegas tribute at Texas|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-12-31}}

Following reports two days earlier that longtime crew chief Kevin Eagle had left the team, primary driver and owner Tommy Joe Martins took to Twitter, Periscope and the media to announce the team's closure in late December 2017. The team had plans to compete in a full 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule; however, two drivers signed to drive on handshake deals failed to follow through, leaving the team's financial security in doubt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2017/12/30/martins-motorsports-closes-down-truck-series-team/|title=Martins Motorsports Closes Down Truck Series Team|website=www.frontstretch.com|date=30 December 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-12-31}} Tommy Joe, commenting on the situation, noted the irony of the situation that the team had been founded as an underdog, family team and now had to rely on pay drivers to survive, the antithesis of what the team was founded on. Once those drivers with sponsors backed out, Martins said that his family was unwilling to take the $300,000 or $400,000 loss that the team took in 2017. At different points, he called the decision "hard" to give up on a dream, yet "easy" to make financially.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pscp.tv/w/1YqGoajvzbbxv|title=Martins Motorsports Shutdown|last=Martins|first=Tommy Joe|date=2017-12-29|website=Periscope|access-date=2017-12-31}} He also did not rule out a return to the Xfinity Series but the return did not seem likely at the time of closure. Martins later disclosed that the team had approached Ford Performance to become a partner team but that the manufacturer turned the team down.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://alphaprimeracing.net/}}

{{Martins Motorsports}}

{{NASCAR Xfinity Series teams}}

{{Chevrolet in NASCAR}}

Category:American auto racing teams

Category:NASCAR teams

Category:Auto racing teams established in 2009