NASCAR News: Ryan Ellis confirms departure from Alpha Prime Racing ahead of move to Rival

Alpha Prime Racing driver Ryan Ellis, who competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will not return to the team for the 2025 season.

While speaking to TobyChristie.com, Ellis confirmed his departure following a discreet notification from his agency to the team. Ellis explained:

“Being part of Alpha Prime has meant so much to me. They helped me achieve a lifelong dream of racing full-time in NASCAR and I have had so much fun working with this group over the years.

“I feel like I learned so much this year, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity they gave me. Alpha Prime truly became my first ‘home’ in the sport, and everyone there will forever remember feel like family.”

Since joining Alpha Prime Racing in 2022, Ellis has developed into a fierce competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. During his three seasons with the team, he has competed in 71 events, with his most notable performances including two 11th-place finishes. His 2023 season was particularly hectic as he competed in 31 of the 33 events on the NASCAR Xfinity Series calendar.

Formerly known as Martins Motorsports, the roots of Alpha Prime Racing date back to 2009. The team went on a brief hiatus before returning in 2022 under a new partnership structure. This resurgence was led by the involvement of Caesar Bacarella through his fitness brand, breathing new life into the team known for nurturing rising talent like Ellis.

Ellis’ journey began long before his partnership with Alpha Prime Racing. Coming from the Quarter Midgets races in Virginia, he developed a keen sense of competition early on. His progress through the ranks has been steady, currently resulting in a 22nd-place finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship with four races remaining this season.

Ellis added:

“Caesar (Bacarella), Tommy (Joe Martins) and the entire group gave me a huge opportunity, and I feel like I will never be able to express how grateful I am to have been a small part of the beginning of APR’s story I wish them nothing but the best for the future and I can’t wait to race against them and their line-up next season.”

Looking ahead, Ellis will join DGM Racing next season.

NASCAR Xfinity Series: Current Standings

1. Justin Allgaier – 3035 points
2. Cole Custer – 3028 points
3. Austin Hill – 3026 points
4. Chandler Smith – 3025 points
5. Sam Mayer – 3017 points
6. Jesse Love – 3013 points
7. AJ Allmendinger – 3007 points
8. Sammy Smith – 3006 points
9. Shane Van Gisbergen – 2102 points
10. Sheldon Creed – 2097 points
11. Riley Herbst – 2086 points
12. Parker Kligerman – 2080 points
13. Ryan Sieg – 725 points
14. Brandon Jones – 622 points
15. Anthony Alfredo – 570 points
16. Brennan Poole – 499 points
17. Josh Williams – 455 points
18. Leland Honeyman – 441 points
19. Parker Retzlaff – 435 points
20. Jeb Burton – 432 points
21. Jeremy Clements – 410 points
22. Ryan Ellis – 389 points
23. Aric Almirola – 379 points
24. Kyle Sieg – 372 points
25. Kyle Weerman – 354 points
26. Matt DiBenedetto – 339 points
27. Blaine Perkins – 308 points
28. Ryan Truex – 303 points
29. Josh Bilicki – 247 points
30. Carson Kvapil – 227 points
31. Hailie Deegan – 174 points
32. Garrett Smithley – 171 points
33. Austin Green – 146 points
34. David Starr – 134 points
35. Joey Gase – 131 points
36. Patrick Emerling – 127 points
37. Connor Zilisch – 97 points
38. Joe Graf Jr. – 93 points
39. BJ McLeod – 78 points
40. JJ Yeley – 78 points
41. Jordan Anderson – 75 points
42. Ed Jones – 71 points
43. Alex Labbe – 69 points
44. Logan Bearden – 62 points
45. Nick Leitz – 59 points
46. Sage Karam – 59 points
47. CJ McLaughlin – 47 points
48. Caesar Bacarella – 46 points
49. Brad Perez – 44 points
50. Preston Pardus – 34 points
51. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 32 points
52. Bubba Pollard – 31 points
53. Nathan Byrd – 29 points
54. Natalie Decker – 27 points
55. Chad Finchum – 27 points
56. Justin Bonsignore – 25 points
57. Patrick Gallagher – 25 points
58. Tommy Joe Martins – 24 points
59. Carson Ware – 24 points
60. Conor Daly – 23 points
61. Dylan Lupton – 23 points
62. Thomas Annunziata – 23 points
63. Greg Van Alst – 21 points
64. RC Enerson – 19 points
65. Myatt Snider – 18 points
66. Dexter Bean – 17 points
67. Daniil Kvyat – 16 points
68. André Castro – 16 points
69. Glen Reen – 10 points
70. Ryan Vargas – 10 points
71. Boris Said – 9 points
72. Mike Skeen – 7 points
73. Armani Williams – 4 points
74. Tomorrow Baird – 4 points
75. Timothy Viens – 2 points
76. Gus Dean – 1 point
77. Alon day – 1 point