Lavar Scott will step into the biggest year of his young racing career in 2026. He will compete full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet for Alpha Prime. The team sees him as a long-term investment, and the rookie tag only adds to the anticipation around his first season at the national level.The move caps a steady climb for the 21-year-old. Scott earned his shot after back-to-back strong ARCA years and a pair of Xfinity starts with Alpha Prime. The announcement makes him the fourth Black driver to reach a national NASCAR series in recent seasons, joining Bubba Wallace, Rajah Caruth, and Jesse Iwuji.Scott's path has been long and unusual. Dirt cars, drag-racing roots, a family shop in New Jersey, and a teenage move to Charlotte in a camper have all shaped him. With his debut season coming up, here are five things fans should know about Lavar Scott.5 things to know about 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series rookie Lavar Scott1. Lavar Scott's family had an auto repair shop in Delaware ValleyLavar Scott grew up just across the Delaware Memorial Bridge, where his family’s shop - Scott’s Auto, founded in 1978 - sits in Carneys Point, New Jersey. The place has defined three generations of the family, from routine repairs to weekend racing projects. His mother drag-raced. His brother raced microsprints.That environment set the tone early, and once Scott got into dirt quarter midgets, the path toward stock cars naturally took shape. The shop still stands as an integral part of the area.2. The 2024 ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year2024 ARCA Menards Series Bounty Rookie of the Year, Lavar Scott. Source: GettyScott’s first full ARCA season showed how quickly he learns. He won the 2024 Rookie of the Year title and held second place in the overall standings. He repeated the feat his year, finishing just behind champion Brenden Queen. Across 20 races, he collected 11 top-five finishes and stayed in the fight despite mechanical setbacks.3. Lavar Scott came through NASCAR’s “Driver Development” pipeline(Extreme Right) Lavar Scott, in the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Hosts STEAM Fest. Source: GettyScott is one of the clearest examples of what the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program aims to produce. He entered as a teenager, learned pavement racing at Rev Racing, and leaned on older graduates when the challenges hit. Rajah Caruth has been one of his closest guides. Scott also often points to observing Bubba Wallace’s path as part of his own growth. The support system matters to him, and the structure around the program helped him stay focused through the difficult early years.4. The versatile rise through the American racing ladder(L-R) Lavar Scott, Nick Sanchez, and Rajah Caruth at Dover Motor Speedway. Source: GettyFew drivers climb the system as linearly as Scott has. His path has moved step-by-step: Legends cars, Late Models, ARCA East, ARCA National, and two Xfinity Series starts with Alpha Prime. It resembles the progression of Caruth and Nick Sanchez. Scott’s background is broader, though. He raced dirt, small micro sprints, and drag-adjacent grassroots cars long before he raced pavement ovals. That versatility has made him adaptable in ways many new drivers are not.5. Xfinity Series debut at his 'home track' at DoverLavar Scott (45) before the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. Source: GettyScott’s first NASCAR national series race came at Dover Motor Speedway, the closest major track to where he grew up. With the family shop minutes away in Carneys Point, it felt like a full-circle weekend.Scott finished outside 28th, but the result was secondary to the significance of racing at home. He added a second start later at Gateway, finishing 19th, further reinforcing why Alpha Prime believes he is ready for a full national season.