Alpha Prime Racing announced today that Ryan Ellis will return to the organization as a full-time driver with a multi-year agreement beginning with the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.
Ellis will return to the organization he called home for the 2022 through 2024 race seasons, laying the foundation for the next chapter of their relationship. After joining Alpha Prime Racing for a partial schedule in 2022, Ellis helped the team launch its No. 43 program the following season. In 2024, Ellis competed full-time with the No. 43 team.
“I’m incredibly excited to be back at Alpha Prime Racing,” Ellis said. “This team has been a massive part of my NASCAR career. The last time we were together, my NASCAR career grew from a few races each season to competing full time in NASCAR, something I thought I’d never get the chance to do. My first handful of races with Alpha Prime Racing were ones that I will never forget. I felt like I was given a massive opportunity back then, and I feel the same way about this opportunity five years later.”
Tablo TV will continue as Ellis’ anchor partner in 2027, acting as a primary sponsor on his Ford Mustang for at least 10 races during the season. This extends a partnership that started in 2024, in Ellis’ last race with Alpha Prime, and has continued to grow through creative, themed car designs and promotions.
“We’re all so excited that Tablo TV is continuing as an anchor partner,” Ellis said. “Our first race with Tablo was at Alpha Prime Racing back in November of 2024. I’ve been so proud of our partnership and how creative Alicia and her team are with it: everything from closed-captioning sponsorships on the CW to the in-car cameras, tying in with other Tablo influencers, and all the other full-circle activations they do within the NASCAR ecosystem. Everyone we have met from Tablo and E.W. Scripps has become a huge
part of our racing family. I’m excited to bring them back to Alpha Prime and represent the brand on the Ford Mustang in 2027.”
“Ryan has been an incredible partner for Tablo TV and E.W. Scripps over the past three years, and it’s especially exciting to see him return to Alpha Prime Racing, where our partnership began,” said Alicia Hackett, Vice President of Platform Sales and Partnerships at Tablo TV. “We have seen firsthand how his authenticity, creativity, and genuine connection with fans and partners make him such a natural extension of the Tablo brand. We’re excited to start our fourth season with Ryan and find new ways to bring free TV and entertainment to NASCAR fans, while continuing to create experiences that make the Tablo brand part of the excitement on and off the track.”
Tablo TV gives sports and television fans access to live, local broadcast coverage of racing, football, and much more on 125+ channels without a monthly subscription. Viewers can access major networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ION, and The CW, including the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the 24/7 NASCAR Channel, and a wide selection of other popular entertainment. With a one-time purchase of a Tablo device and TV antenna, plus the free Tablo TV app, users can watch and record free television across multiple compatible devices throughout their homes. Visit TabloTV.com/Ryan to learn more and use code ELLIS to save $20 off a Tablo product.
Ellis’ return comes as Alpha Prime Racing prepares for a significant new chapter. Beginning in 2027, the organization will compete with the Ford Mustang in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with engine support from Roush Yates Engines.
“There’s a ton of positive momentum at Alpha Prime Racing right now,” Ellis said. “Not only with the speed they show each week, but also the way they’re positioning for the future. The opportunity with Ford made it even more enticing to return to my first NASCAR ‘home,’ and a multi-year deal lets us build our team and program the right way, creating value for our partners on and off the track over multiple seasons. I’m very familiar with their group, and I feel like I gel really well with the way their cars drive. That’s a huge part of this decision. I think the familiarity will help us get off to a fast start and show that speed consistently year after year.”
“Ryan has a strong history with Alpha Prime Racing, and we’re excited to welcome him back as we continue building for the future,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing. “He understands what it takes to compete at this level, but just as importantly, he understands the value of building lasting relationships with partners. As we prepare for our transition to Ford in 2027, having Ryan return on a multi-year agreement brings valuable experience, continuity and a strong commercial foundation to our program. We look forward to building on that together.”
“We’re signing a friend,” Alpha Prime Racing Founder Tommy Joe Martins said. “When we started APR in 2022, he was the first person that believed in our program, and in a lot of ways he helped lay the foundation of our team and helped me understand how to shape our organization. He’s part of the family here. There’s a lot of trust on both sides.”
Additional details, including Ellis’ car number and other partners supporting the 2027 program, will be announced at a later date.
— Alpha Prime Racing —