Alpha Prime Racing (APR) will be making the switch from fielding Chevrolet Camaros to Ford Mustangs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027, the organization confirmed in a press conference Saturday at Darlington Raceway.
The organization – which currently fields the No. 44 and No. 45 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for drivers Brennan Poole and Lavar Scott – will begin phasing in their Ford equipment throughout the final nine races of the 2026 season, as the team converts its existing inventory, providing an opportunity to gain experience and establish new baselines prior to 2027.
“This is the biggest decision we’ve ever made,” said Caesar Bacarella, Owner of Alpha Prime Racing. “We have built Alpha Prime Racing by being resourceful and competitive against teams with significantly more resources. That’s our identity, and we don’t want to change that. We want to build on it. Competing with the Ford Mustang is an opportunity to take another step forward.”
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Alpha Prime Racing will be utilizing Roush-Yates Engines for its future engine program, and as part of this newfound transition, will be making a significant investment in Ford technologies.
“Our objective throughout this process has been to build a stronger and more sustainable Alpha Prime Racing,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing. “We see an opportunity to build an organization around a two-car O’Reilly Series program and continue investing in our people, equipment, and infrastructure. The Ford Racing platform, Roush Yates Engines, and the broader ecosystem surrounding Ford in NASCAR align with what we want Alpha Prime Racing to be.”
The organization, which has been competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in some shape or form (first as Martins Motorsports and now as Alpha Prime Racing) for seven seasons now, is committed to fielding a minimum of two full-time entries in NASCAR’s second-tier series in 2027, as part of this transition.
“Alpha Prime Racing has grown because of the amazing people we’ve had on this team,” said Tommy Joe Martins, Founder of Alpha Prime Racing. “And the Ford Mustang gives them the best chance to compete moving forward. We’re committed to a long-term, competitive, and sustainable Alpha Prime Racing. We want to stand out as an organization, on and off the racetrack. This move is a giant step forward.”
Alpha Prime Racing will make additional announcements regarding its driver lineup for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign at a later date.
