21-year-old Parker Retzlaff’s promising NASCAR journey took an unfortunate downturn earlier this year when his departure from Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) left fans speculating about his future. While many pointed to a controversial moment at Daytona, where he spoiled fellow Chevrolet driver Kyle Busch’s playoff chances, that potentially led to his exit.

Retzlaff’s career has taken a turn for the better with a new opportunity in 2025. The 21-year-old Wisconsin native has signed with Alpha Prime Racing, where he’ll once again pilot a Chevrolet full-time, this time in their no. 4 car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season.

Parker Retzlaff’s new chapter with Alpha Prime Racing

Alpha Prime Racing’s announcement on Wednesday was a significant moment not only for Retzlaff but also for the team itself. Co-owned by Caesar Bacarella and Tommy Joe Martins, the organization has steadily grown into a competitive force in the Xfinity Series. Bacarella, who achieved two top-10 finishes as a driver in 2024, expressed excitement about Retzlaff joining their roster.

“I’m just super excited to have him join us,” Bacarella said. “He’s a young, really talented racecar driver, and he’s going to help elevate the team.”

The young Retzlaff brings a respectable resume to his new team (even if you don’t consider his insane iRacing record), including three top-fives, 12 top-tens, and two pole positions across 75 Xfinity starts. He also made a splash in the Cup Series in 2024, securing a top-10 finish during the summer Daytona race. Despite a challenging sophomore season that included 12 DNFs, Retzlaff has shown flashes of brilliance, including a career-best third-place finish at Daytona earlier in 2024.

Team owner Bacarella emphasized that Alpha Prime’s growth has been built on the strength of its people. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but Tommy and I agree it’s all about the people. It’s so hard. We’re racing against the best teams in the world. But we’ve got great people, and that’s what’s made it work,” he said. “And now we’ve got two ace drivers in the stable full-time.”

Retzlaff joins Brennan Poole, who helped Alpha Prime secure 18th in owner points last year. Together, the pair represents a promising lineup as the team looks to climb the Xfinity Series standings in 2025.

“I’m humbled, honestly,” Retzlaff admitted. “Obviously, I wouldn’t be here without the support of my partners—who I’m really excited to announce later.” Sponsorship and crew chief details will be announced in the coming weeks, but the excitement surrounding Retzlaff’s signing is already palpable.

The 2025 Xfinity Series season kicks off on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway, the site of his infamous controversy, where Retzlaff will aim to make an immediate impact.

In a statement that radiated hope and determination, Retzlaff shared, “We all want to win races, be consistent, and prove we’re here to compete. Everyone here has told me how much they believe in me and what I can do.” For Retzlaff, it’s more than just a fresh start—it’s a chance to prove himself on one of NASCAR’s most competitive stages and what better way to start than a Daytona redemption.

The Daytona controversy and JAR exit

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Retzlaff’s departure from Jordan Anderson Racing at the end of 2024 came amidst a swirl of controversy. During the August Cup Series race at Daytona, Retzlaff’s actions on the final lap sparked heated debates. Driving the No. 62 Chevrolet for Bear Motorsports as a one-off, a team with an alliance to Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Retzlaff chose to push Harrison Burton’s No. 21 Ford instead of assisting Kyle Busch, a fellow Chevrolet driver. Burton went on to win the race, while Busch eventually missed the playoffs.

The decision drew criticism, with some fans and insiders speculating that Chevrolet’s displeasure over the incident influenced JAR’s decision to part ways with Retzlaff. The young driver, however, defended his actions at the time, explaining, “The end of the race isn’t how I wanted it to work with pushing a Ford, but I also didn’t want to give up everything with how much FunkAway has done for me.”

Kyle Busch expressed after the race that he had never raced Retzlaff in the past, so he didn’t know what to expect. “I don’t think I’ve ever raced with Parker,” Busch said. “I’ve seen him on the Xfinity side, but I don’t think I’ve ever run a race with him. But all things considered, it just doesn’t matter who they are. They’re just cars at that point.”

Despite his explanation, the fallout was immediate. Retzlaff’s post-race comments hinted at tension, but he also expressed gratitude toward JAR for giving him his first full-time Xfinity opportunity. “I can’t thank Jordan Anderson and John Bommarito enough for allowing me to chase my dream,” he said in a social media post announcing his exit.

The Daytona race itself was a chaotic affair, featuring 16 different leaders, 40 lead changes, and two multi-car wrecks that eliminated several front-runners. Retzlaff’s decision to push Burton instead of Kyle Busch might not have been the sole reason for his departure, but it undoubtedly added fuel to the fire.

Former teammate Jeb Burton suggested that despite his numerous crashes throughout the season, it was also a lack of funding that didn’t allow him to retain his seat at JAR. That was…until Alpha Prime came knocking.

For Alpha Prime, the addition of Retzlaff signals their intent to compete at a higher level. Bacarella and Martins have built a team with ambition, and Retzlaff’s youthful energy could be the spark they need to achieve new milestones in 2025.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on the No. 4 Chevrolet and its young driver. For Retzlaff, the goal is simple: prove the doubters wrong and show that he belongs among NASCAR’s rising stars.