Alpha Prime Racing reached a new level at Rockingham Speedway with a result no
one saw coming. Parker Retzlaff started from the front and ended the day with a finish that topped his career. Right behind him, Brennan Poole added to the team’s strong run. A big change in the race order made their final spots even better. What happened that day could be a turning point for Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
- Alpha Prime Racing achieved its first double top-five finish at Rockingham, a significant milestone in their Xfinity Series journey.
- Parker Retzlaff secured a career-best runner-up position, showcasing his growth and potential within the series.
- Brennan Poole finished fourth, contributing to the team’s historic performance and demonstrating progress in his Xfinity career.
- Jesse Love’s disqualification reshuffled standings, elevating Retzlaff and Poole to their highest positions.
- The team’s performance at Rockingham highlights their tactical skill, resilience, and potential for future success.
Historic Finish for Alpha Prime Racing
Alpha Prime Racing achieved a landmark moment at Rockingham Speedway with an unprecedented performance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Parker Retzlaff and Brennan Poole delivered the finest combined finish in the team’s history. Retzlaff secured a career-best runner-up position, closely followed by Poole in fourth, marking the initial occasion Alpha Prime placed two cars in the top five of a single race.
This achievement highlighted the substantial progress of the underdog team, which joined the Xfinity Series in 2022. Despite the challenges of a rotating driver lineup and limited resources, the Tommy Joe Martins-owned team has persistently advanced its competitiveness.
At the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 on April 19, the team’s breakthrough generated widespread celebration on social media. NASCAR Insights emphasized this remarkable achievement by sharing the post-race statistics on X, showcasing a momentous milestone for Alpha Prime Racing that signified growth and potential within the series.
Impact of Jesse Love’s Disqualification
Following the historic performance of Alpha Prime Racing at Rockingham Speedway, the team’s remarkable finish was further solidified due to an essential change in the race standings. The post-race disqualification of Jesse Love had a considerable impact, propelling Parker Retzlaff and Brennan Poole to second and fourth positions, respectively.
This reshuffling was a crucial moment that highlighted the tactical skill of Alpha Prime Racing. Importantly, the #45 entry of Vicente Salas also benefited, moving from 25th to 24th, showcasing the team’s comprehensive improvement.
The disqualification not only advanced individual drivers but also marked the initial double top-five finish for Alpha Prime, a demonstration of the team’s resilience and tactical execution under co-owner Tommy Joe Martins’ leadership.
“I’m just so proud of him (Retzlaff). I mean, you qualify second and you finish third in a race, and then the 44 team is just unbelievable here. They’re just so good, Bren’s (Brennan) so good. Had about a top 15 car today and then wound up finishing in the top five. It’s the first time ever that we’ve had a double top five in the history of the company, and I’m obviously having a little bit of shock right now.” – Tommy Joe Martins
Alpha Prime Racing placed 2 cars in the Top 5 today (Retzlaff – 3rd, Poole – 5th). This is the first time the team has EVER scored multiple Top 5s in a race.
Parker Retzlaff’s 3rd place finish is also the best in the team’s history. pic.twitter.com/8sGDEVp59i
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) April 19, 2025
Brennan Poole Reflects on Team’s Progress
Celebrating a notable milestone in his Xfinity career, Brennan Poole expressed pride in Alpha Prime Racing‘s progress during his reflection on their recent success at Rockingham Speedway.
In his seventh Xfinity season, Poole has proven to be a reliable veteran presence, contributing considerably to the team’s growth. His performance at Rockingham marked his third top-five finish of the season, echoing the sentiments of the Alpha Prime Racing owner regarding the team’s historical achievement.
Poole highlighted the team’s resilience, particularly after their challenging experience at Bristol, and emphasized the value of maintaining momentum.
“It’s the best day in the company’s history,” he remarked, acknowledging the collective effort that led to their 2-4 finish, the fifth top-five result in 266 entries for Alpha Prime.
“I think it’s the best day in the company’s history for sure and I’m proud to be a part of it. We’ve been working really hard and just proud of my guys to bounce back after Bristol and get a top five. It’s a strong showing. We just want to keep pushing. I feel confident we can keep having good race cars every single week and put ourselves in position for more runs like this.” – Brennan Poole
The #44 team’s previous best was a fourth-place finish at Martinsville, highlighting the potential for consistent excellence with steadfast dedication and tactical execution.
Parker Retzlaff’s Pole Start and Race Day Performance
Parker Retzlaff seized a notable opportunity at Rockingham, starting from pole position after Connor Zilisch’s post-qualifying penalty. The Xfinity race presented a circuitous challenge for Alpha Prime Racing, with Retzlaff’s teammates beginning in less favorable positions.
“I would say it’s probably the best race of my career. Just the best overall throughout the whole day. Running up front… I think we were probably top five to top seven all day on speed, no matter what happened. Just kept staying in the fight all day to finish top three.” – Parker Retzlaff
- Retzlaff described it as the ‘best race’ of his career, a considerable improvement from his previous third-place finish at Daytona in 2023.
- Despite the tumultuous conditions, Retzlaff managed to maintain a consistent top-five to top-seven speed, showcasing his expertise and tactical insight.
- The race culminated in a controversial win for Retzlaff, as Jesse Love’s disqualification raised him in the final standings.
News in Brief: Parker Retzlaff’s Career-Best Finish
In a stunning turn of events at Rockingham, Brennan Poole and Parker Retzlaff achieved a remarkable finish for Alpha Prime Racing, marking a historic milestone for the team. The unexpected disqualification of Jesse Love further amplified the significance of their achievement. Poole expressed pride in the team’s progress, while Retzlaff’s impressive pole start and race day performance illustrated the team’s growing skill. This race highlighted Alpha Prime’s potential and hinted at a promising future in the racing circuit.
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