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Alpha Prime apologizes to Lewis Hamilton after creating stir for Xfinity Sonoma race

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•07/09/25•

NickGeddesNews

Lewis Hamilton
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No, Lewis Hamilton will not be making his NASCAR debut in this Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway. Alpha Prime Racing, however, certainly teased it with a Tuesday late-night post on social media.

The post quoted a Trackhouse Racing comment questioning if Shane van Gisbergen could make it back-to-back wins in Xfinity. “Not if HE has anything to say about it…” Alpha Prime wrote, attaching a picture of a black-and-white silhouette. The silhouette appeared to feature a man with a loosely tied ponytail, fueling speculation it was Hamilton.

Alpha Prime let that sit overnight before revealing the real driver of the No. 44 Chevrolet Wednesday morning. Of course, it’s Brennan Poole, who has started all 18 races this season.

In a follow up tweet, Alpha Prime apologized to Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One champion: “(Respect to Sir Lewis Hamilton – Admin had a stupid tweet idea before midnight.)”

Lewis Hamilton vs. Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR not meant to be… yet

Yes, a van Gisbergen vs. Hamilton duel on a road course in NASCAR would be box office. These are two of the best in the world, albeit in different racing disciplines. But it’s not happening at Sonoma, though Hamilton has been open to the idea of getting inside a stock car at some point.

“I did a car swap with Tony Stewart years ago, which was fun,” Hamilton said ahead of the 2023 Miami Grand Prix. “I’d love to try it at some stage. It’s not a dream for me to go race another series, but I am an admirer. I’m a fan of racing and other sports. So, I would like to try it.”

For now, Hamilton remains focused on his F1 career. Now 40, Hamilton may not be at the peak of his powers, but he’s still one of the circuit’s best wheelmen. He currently sits sixth in the driver’s standings through 12 races this season. Hamilton, a 105-time winner in F1, is still looking for his first podium of the campaign.