In a surprising twist that blends the worlds of professional football and stock car racing, three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Za’Darius Smith is stepping into NASCAR—just not in the driver’s seat. The NFL standout is part of a new ownership group aiming to make a mark in America’s premier motorsport.
According to Racing America, Smith has joined a consortium of technologists and Chicago-area business leaders to launch Redline Motorsports, a potential new NASCAR team targeting entry into the national series in 2026. While Smith’s presence lends celebrity power and cross-sport interest, the group also boasts respected figures like Reverend Attorney Aaron McLeod and Brett Fickes, CEO of Universal Dental Clinics. Together, they’ve laid out a mission rooted in community representation, historic recognition, and long-term growth.
Alpha Prime Tie-Up Marks First Public Move
Although Redline Motorsports is still in its early stages, the group has already dipped its toes into NASCAR competition. Ahead of this weekend’s Xfinity Series event—the Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Course—Redline announced a sponsorship deal with Alpha Prime Racing, backing driver Brad Perez in the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro.
Alpha Prime confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter) with a celebratory post:
“🍞 Bread is Back. @bradxperez will be behind the wheel of the #45 this weekend at @NASCARChicago with support from @NerdsXpress and @zadariussmith!”
Team president Tommy Joe Martins welcomed the collaboration, saying the Chicago-based Redline group brought a fresh perspective and deep ambition to the table.
🍞 Bread is Back.@bradxperez will be behind the wheel of the #45 this weekend at @NASCARChicago with support from @NerdsXpress and @zadariussmith!#TheLoop110 | @XfinityRacing pic.twitter.com/7cbJyrL2fx
— Alpha Prime Racing (@TeamAlphaPrime) June 30, 2025
“They have such big goals and ambitions, and it’s really cool having a Chicago-based group with us this weekend. Feels like we’re part of a bigger community surrounding this event.” -Tommy Joe Martins
For Perez, a popular figure in the NASCAR garage and on social media, the support couldn’t have come at a better time. The street race at Chicago is a showcase opportunity—one that both driver and sponsor hope will build momentum toward Redline’s full-time future.
Honoring History Through the No. 55
Redline Motorsports also revealed a symbolic and powerful choice for its eventual full-time car number: No. 55. The number is a dual tribute—honoring the memory of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy brutally murdered in 1955 in Mississippi, and the legacy of Rosa Parks, who sparked the Montgomery bus boycott in the same year by refusing to give up her seat.
Though no official schedule or debut season has been announced, Redline’s choice of No. 55 makes clear its intention to use NASCAR as a platform not just for speed and competition, but for social remembrance and advocacy. The team has stated that more information about its long-term plans, technical partnerships, and possible driver lineup will be revealed in the coming months.
This socially driven approach follows in the footsteps of teams like 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, which has also made diversity, outreach, and cultural relevance a cornerstone of its brand. Redline appears ready to join that movement, providing both representation and meaningful storytelling through motorsports.
Alex Bowman Returns as Defending Winner in Chicago
As Redline enters the sport with hopes of building a new legacy, one driver already knows what it’s like to make history at the Chicago Street Course—Alex Bowman. The Hendrick Motorsports veteran won last year’s Grant Park 165, breaking an 80-race winless streak and clinching a playoff spot in the process.
That victory marked Bowman’s first trip to victory lane since Las Vegas in March 2022 and his debut win with crew chief Blake Harris. In dramatic fashion, Bowman made a late-race surge, surviving a restart with just two laps remaining to hold off Tyler Reddick, who was closing in fast on the soaked street surface.
“The last time we won, we didn’t really get to celebrate – we’re going to drink so much damn bourbon tonight. It’s going to be a bad deal. I’m probably going to wake up naked on the bathroom floor again.” – Alex Bowman
With the 2025 edition of the Grant Park 165 just around the corner, Bowman returns as the defending champion, hoping to make it two straight on one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable circuits.
News in Brief: Za’Darius Smith in NASCAR
Za’Darius Smith’s journey from the gridiron to the garage might seem unexpected, but it speaks to NASCAR’s growing ability to draw in new voices and unconventional investors. With Redline Motorsports forming roots in a historic and culturally rich city like Chicago, the initiative carries the potential to leave an imprint far beyond the racetrack.
Add in a unique car number to honor the Civil Rights Movement, a strategic sponsorship with Alpha Prime Racing, and the platform of one of NASCAR’s most visible race weekends, and it’s clear that Redline isn’t here for a pit stop—they’re gearing up for the long haul. Whether or not the No. 55 rolls onto the Cup grid next year, the movement behind it has already started to accelerate.
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