Brennan Poole will depart Alpha Prime Racing at the end of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, ending a three‑year tenure with the team.
“Brennan Poole has informed APR that he will not return to the No. 44 for the 2027 season, concluding a three‑year association with the organization. ‘We are grateful and proud of everything Brennan has accomplished with APR over the years, and we look forward to a strong finish to the season,’ the team said.”
Poole, 36, is a seasoned driver with more than 200 NASCAR O’Reilly starts. He has collected one pole position, 12 top‑five finishes and 48 top‑ten results. Since the 2024 campaign, he has been the driver of the No. 44 for Alpha Prime Racing, leading the team to notably strong performances, including a fourth‑place finish at Rockingham and Martinsville in 2025.
Alpha Prime Racing recently secured a new partnership with Ford for the 2027 season, although Poole will not be part of that arrangement.
In addition to his O’Reilly Series effort, Poole has competed in 43 Cup Series events and 39 Camping World Truck Series races. Earlier in his career he also claimed six victories in the ARCA Menard’s Series.
Alpha Prime Racing also fields the No. 45 car with rookie driver Lavar Scott. Poole’s future plans for 2027 remain unclear, though he is expected to have a destination in mind before making his move.
“I want to thank Team Alpha Prime for three great years of relentless effort together, and to owner Tommy Joe Martins for this opportunity and for believing in me years ago,” said Poole on social media.
“Looking forward to closing out the season strong together!”
Alpha Prime Express Disappointment Over Poole’s Departure
Brennan Poole drives the No. 44 for Alpha Prime Racing
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“He raised his profile and ours. More than any team in the garage, Brennan and that group overachieve every year. He had something to prove and we’ve proved it… Of course we wanted Brennan and his partners to continue growing with us, especially as we begin this new chapter with Ford Racing. So, yeah, it’s going to be really weird to see him driving another racecar because the forty‑four means a lot to me,” said owner Tommy Joe Martins.
“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,” Martins added.
The team also extended an offer to Poole for the 2027 season, but he declined.
“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,” said co‑owner Caesar Bacarella.
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