When Lavar Scott takes to the World Wide Technology Raceway this Saturday, his No. 45 NASCAR Xfinity Series car will stand out not only for speed but as a vivid cultural statement. The design of Scott’s car merges artistic expression with heritage, creating a unique blend of motorsports and history through a bold new visual approach.
The Creation of a Cultural and Artistic Racing Car
Lavar Scott’s entry with Alpha Prime Racing highlights a one-of-a-kind collaboration that intertwines art and racing in a way not often seen in NASCAR’s upper tiers. The project’s sponsor, Foxxtecca, enlisted Afro-Latino graffiti artist Richard ‘Spen1’ Ochoa to redefine the car’s traditional racing wrap into a dynamic piece of art.
Unlike typical NASCAR paint schemes that primarily display branding and sponsors, Ochoa’s design transforms Scott’s vehicle into a moving canvas. The wrap reflects Ochoa’s two decades of artistic experience and storytelling, rooted in his New York birth and South Florida upbringing. Ochoa’s portfolio includes work for high-profile clients like Red Bull, MGM Resorts, Champion Clothing, Downtown Las Vegas, and Hoonigan.
This partnership is more than a commercial arrangement, as Ochoa has personal ties to the automotive world.
My father has been a mechanic his whole life, so cars have always been a part of my world,
Ochoa shared.
Being chosen to design a NASCAR wrap for a Black driver, through a Black-owned company, is the perfect blend of my passion for art and my family’s legacy.
This marks the second occasion this season that Scott, Foxxtecca, and Alpha Prime Racing have joined forces with an artist to create a design that conveys cultural pride alongside racing competition.
A Tribute to Black Motorsports Trailblazers Within the Design
The artistic work on Scott’s car extends beyond aesthetics by honoring the pioneers of Black motorsports history. Ochoa’s wrap incorporates symbols that pay homage to the Black American Racers Association (BARA) and the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes, two important organizations that helped forge opportunities for future generations.
The tribute also recognizes Elias Bowie, known as the first Black man to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series event, embedding his legacy into the car’s visual narrative. Through these elements, Scott’s vehicle acts as a driving tribute to those who broke racial barriers long before diversity became a significant topic within racing circles.
Chris Harris, co-founder of Foxxtecca, emphasized the deeper purpose behind the collaboration:
This is about more than design, it’s about making a statement. In motorsports, small moments can be much bigger than they appear. With this opportunity, we wanted to create something intentional, impactful and reflective of the stage we’re on.
The artwork skillfully fuses Scott’s identity with a broader historical context, making the car a symbol of both personal and collective achievement. It moves beyond simple decoration, blending narratives from the past and present to resonate meaningfully within NASCAR and its community.
The Significance of This Cultural Journey at Gateway
As Lavar Scott prepares to race at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, his car will carry a message that exceeds its role as a race vehicle. It represents NASCAR’s growing embrace of diversity, heritage, and art as a vital part of its evolving story.
This project serves as a powerful example of how motorsports can provide a stage for storytelling that celebrates culture and perseverance. By combining the efforts of the driver, artist Richard ‘Spen1’ Ochoa, and sponsor Foxxtecca, the initiative highlights the potential for racing to connect with audiences on levels beyond mere competition and speed.
