After three years of piloting the No. 44 Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Brennan Poole is departing the multi-car team owned by Tommy Joe Martins and Caesar Bacarella.

“He raised his profile and ours,” said Tommy Joe Martins, founder of Alpha Prime Racing. “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.”

Alpha Prime Racing, in a press release, says it did offer Poole an opportunity to return to the organization in 2027, but Poole, a veteran in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, chose to pursue another opportunity.

“It’s disappointing, for sure. He’s been a great drive for us and we feel like we’ve put a great team around him, but we appreciate everything,” said co-owner Caesar Bacarella.

In three years driving for Alpha Prime Racing, Poole has recorded three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in the ultra-competitive NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series field.

“Of course, we wanted Brennan and his partners to continue growing with us,” Martins added. “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 forty-four means a lot to me.”

“Ultimately, he feels like he’s making the right decision, and I respect it – I just disagree with him, obviously. 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.

“We still have work to do,” Hamilton said. “I know Brennan will give us everything he has, and we’ll do the same for him.  That’s the best way we can thank him and his partners for three successful years together. It’s been a special partnership for Tommy Joe and our entire organization.”

Alpha Prime Racing will announce its plans for the No. 44 Chevrolet in the coming weeks.