Who Drives the 45 Car in NASCAR Today
The No. 45 car in NASCAR is most prominently driven by Tyler Smith in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, competing full time for Alpha Prime Racing. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the No. 45 is fielded by Niece Motorsports with multiple drivers across the season, including Lawless Alan and others depending on sponsorship and scheduling. At the NASCAR Cup Series level, the No. 45 has been used by various teams in recent years, typically as a part-time or research entry. This guide summarizes the current, verified lineup and team details for the 45 car across NASCAR’s three national series based on the latest manufacturer and team announcements.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: No. 45 Car Details
Driver and Team Information
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the No. 45 is fielded by Alpha Prime Racing as a full-time entry. The primary driver for the 2025 season is Tyler Smith, who returned for another year with sponsorship support from Medical Marijuana Inc. and other partners. Alpha Prime Racing operates as a single-car team in many events, with Smith handling race strategy execution and on-track performance. The team focuses on consistent midpack finishes and leveraging owner points to remain competitive in qualifying and practice.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Car Number | 45 | Team release |
| Series | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Official NASCAR schedule |
| Driver | Tyler Smith | Team announcement |
| Team | Alpha Prime Racing | Manufacturer records |
| Sponsorship | Medical Marijuana Inc. (primary) | Sponsor press release |
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: No. 45 Car Details
Team and Driver Rotation
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the No. 45 truck is run by Niece Motorsports, a team known for rotating drivers based on sponsorship and performance. Recent and scheduled drivers include Lawless Alan, who piloted the truck to notable finishes in superspeedway and short-track events. Other drivers such as Robby Lyons and Jalon Christian have also been named in past 2024 and 2025 schedules when sponsorship aligned. The truck operates on an event-by-event basis, meaning the driver lineup can change during the season depending on funding and logistics.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Car Number | 45 | Team release |
| Series | NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | Official NASCAR schedule |
| Team | Niece Motorsports | Manufacturer records |
| Notable Drivers | Lawless Alan, Robby Lyons, Jalon Christian | Race logs and team announcements |
| Operating Model | Part-time / rotation | Team schedule releases |
NASCAR Cup Series: No. 45 Car Status
Part-Time and Research Entries
At the NASCAR Cup Series level, the No. 45 car is not entered full time by any manufacturer. Historically, teams such as Alpha Prime Racing and others have used the 45 as a part-time or research entry, often fielding the car in select races when manufacturer support allows. Because Cup schedules are tightly aligned with charter ownership, the 45 typically appears in road course events or shorter tracks where teams can manage costs and data collection. As of the current season, there is no full-time Cup effort under the No. 45 banner, but that can shift if team partnerships or sponsorship change.
How to Verify the Driver for a Given Race Week
Because driver assignments for part-time entries can shift, the most reliable method to confirm who drives the 45 car in a specific NASCAR race is to check the official entry list published by NASCAR 48 to 72 hours before the event. Additional sources include the team’s official social channels and the league media site, which publish press releases when driver lineups are finalized. Race-week notes usually clarify whether the car will be run by a full-time Xfinity driver, a Truck Series regular, or a Cup part-time entry, depending on the track and sponsorship landscape.
- Check the official NASCAR entry list 2 to 3 days before the race.
- Review Alpha Prime Racing or Niece Motorsports social and news pages for driver announcements.
- Cross-reference with manufacturer updates if Cup participation is mentioned.
Summary of Current 45 Car Lineups
Across NASCAR’s three national divisions, the 45 car maintains a presence but with different commitments. In Xfinity, it is a stable full-time effort led by Tyler Smith and Alpha Prime Racing. In Trucks, it is a rotating partial-time program under Niece Motorsports with drivers such as Lawless Alan. In Cup, the 45 remains a sporadic, data-gathering entry without a permanent driver or charter. Understanding the series and the event date is essential to knowing exactly who is behind the wheel on any given weekend.
For fans and analysts, following team announcements and the official NASCAR entry list remains the best way to track changes to the 45 car lineup. This evergreen overview will be updated as new manufacturer schedules and team press releases become available, ensuring clarity around one of NASCAR’s most widely recognized low car numbers.