Alpha Prime Racing 2022 Xfinity Racing debut: Xfinity Series team Martins Motorsports announced Monday that it will become Alpha Prime Racing next season, as driver/owner Tommy Joe Martins will be joined by new partner and part-time Xfinity driver Caesar Bacarella.
The organization also announced that ARCA Menards Series East driver Rajah Caruth will run a part-time schedule in its No. 44 entry.
A team release said that Caruth’s confirmed schedule includes races at Martinsville Speedway, Dover International Speedway, and Richmond Raceway. Additional races at Pocono Raceway and Kansas Speedway could also happen pending sponsorship.
Martins announced recently that he won’t compete full-time in the No. 44 next season, which opened up the ride to be shared by multiple drivers.
However, he still expects to run 10-15 races for APR. Bacarella is also slated to run a partial Xfinity schedule. The organization’s new name is a nod to Bacarella’s fitness apparel and supplements company.
“I want to build something,” said Bacarella, who also competes regularly in sports car racing. “I love this sport. That’s why I do it. I’ve known Tommy and his dad since 2018, and when I saw the news about them going part time, I started asking questions.
New drivers for 2022 Xfinity Racing Season
Bacarella’s addition is a “perfect situation” according to Tommy Joe Martins, as he prepares to step back. And, Bacarella brings so much business knowledge and marketing savvy to the table. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old Caruth, he will continue to compete in ARCA next season for Rev Racing as part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. His Xfinity schedule with APR will focus on maintaining his rookie status in that series entering 2023.
“I’m extremely honored to have the opportunity to continue my progression as both a racer and a young man in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022 with Tommy, Caesar, and Alpha Prime Racing,” Caruth said in the release.
Two top-five finishes in seven races this season for Rev Racing in ARCA East backup Caruth. And, he is sixth in points entering the ARCA East season finale on Sept. 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Tommy Joe Martins
Driver Tommy Joe Martins continues his duties on track in 2021 as the team’s full-time driver. Scoring 15 top-20’s, nine top-15’s, and the team’s first-ever top-10 at Texas, the No. 44 finished the season 20th in the final points standings. Follow Tommy Joe Martins next Friday, September 17th, 2021 at 7:30 pm ET from Bristol Motor Speedway. Don’t miss all the action at “The Last Great Colosseum”!
About Gilreath Farms
Gilreath Farms of Knoxville, TN are premium Red Angus ranchers promoting the prime quality of the often-overlooked Red Angus breed. In many areas of the country, Black Angus has more name recognition than Red Angus, and we see this reflected in market prices. Gilreath Farms, a firm believer in the superiority of the Red Angus breed, would like to change that.
Ken Gilreath – Official sponsor of NASCAR
Through companies owned by Ken and Tina, a sponsorship arrangement for 2021 was signed with NASCAR’s Xfinity series driver Tommy Joe Martins who drives the 44 car for Martins Motorsports. The 44 car displays Tina and Ken’s company brands at each race. Additionally, Ken’s TA2 series car displays the same design.