Alpha Prime Brings Lavar Scott on Board for 2026 Rookie Battle
Every racer has that moment. The one they dream about since they were a kid, wrenching on a go-kart in the garage. It’s the phone call, the handshake, the signature on a piece of paper that turns a lifetime of asphalt-stained dreams into cold, hard reality. For Lavar Scott, that moment has arrived. The kid from Carney’s Point, New Jersey, is officially going big-time.
Starting in 2026, Scott will be strapping into the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing, set to run the full O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule. This isn’t just a handful of races. It’s a full-blown commitment, a shot at Rookie of the Year, and a chance to prove he belongs in the upper echelons of NASCAR.
When the news broke, the emotion was palpable. You could feel the weight of years of sacrifice and dedication lifting off his shoulders. “Don’t know what to say or type,” Scott shared, the raw honesty of his words hitting home for anyone who’s ever chased an impossible dream. “
Just thank you to everyone involved. Had a dream and a plan since I was three years old, and it’s actually happening. Insane feeling.”That “insane feeling” is what this sport is all about. It’s not just about turning left; it’s about heart, grit, and an unwavering belief that you have what it takes.
Scott’s Journey: Paying Dues and Turning Heads
Lavar Scott is no stranger to the grind. For the past two seasons, he’s been a standout in the ARCA Menards Series, piloting the No. 6 for REV Racing as a prominent member of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program. While a trip to Victory Lane eluded him, his consistency was nothing short of remarkable. In 46 starts, he racked up an incredible 26 top-five finishes. Think about that for a second.
More than half the time he hit the track, he was running up front, battling with the best. He finished second in the championship standings in both of his full-time seasons, a testament to his talent and tenacity. He wasn’t just a participant. He was a contender, race in and race out. That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed.
Alpha Prime Racing, a team on the rise co-owned by the savvy Tommy Joe Martins and Caesar Bacarella, saw the fire in Scott. They gave him a taste of the national series earlier this year, putting him in the No. 45 for two races at Dover and World Wide Technology Raceway. He brought the car home, P19 and P28 solid, respectable runs for a driver getting his feet wet in a new, more competitive pond.
The Alpha Prime Advantage: Building a Contender
This move isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a calculated step for both Scott and Alpha Prime Racing. The team has been steadily building its program since 2020, when it began with Martins Motorsports. They’re coming off one of their strongest seasons yet, proving they can mix it up with the powerhouse organizations. With four top-fives and nine top-tens in the previous season, they’ve shown they have the equipment and the know-how to run at the front.
Pairing a hungry rookie like Scott with a seasoned veteran like Brennan Poole, who is confirmed to return to the sister No. 44 car, is a smart play. Poole’s experience will be an invaluable resource as Scott tackles the grueling 33-race schedule and navigates tracks he’s never seen before. It creates a dynamic of youthful energy and veteran wisdom that could be the secret sauce for a breakout season.
Final Thoughts
The jump to a full-time ride is the biggest challenge of any young driver’s career. The learning curve is steep, the pressure is immense, and every single lap is a test. But Lavar Scott has proven he’s not afraid of a fight.
He’s spent his entire life preparing for this opportunity, battling on short tracks and super speedways, always with that singular goal in mind. Now, the dream is real. The journey is just beginning. And you can bet the entire racing world will be watching to see what he does with it.
