Lapcevich Says Newport Was Final Start for Chad Bryant Racing

NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 3, 2026

Lapcevich exit

Lapcevich said Newport Speedway was his final start with Chad Bryant Racing, closing out a two-year partnership in the No. 77 Late Model Stock car. He said he will continue with support from Rette Jones Racing after leaving the team, and he added that his family will handle crew duties for the car for the rest of the effort. Lapcevich finished fourth at Newport, a race that also decided the championship for Caden Kvapil. The move leaves Lapcevich’s plans for the rest of his season undecided, but he said he is keeping his attention on the Late Model Stock Drivers Championship and his partner commitments. The separation came after a stretch in which he had remained in contention near the top of the standings and still had something to race for if he chose to continue.

Martinsville fallout

Lapcevich tied the split to the team’s role in the Martinsville brawl, where NASCAR suspended Chad Bryant, crew member Steven Civatarese and Ryden Lapcevich after a post-race confrontation with Corey Heim. Lapcevich said he was not involved in the physical incident and condemned what happened. He and Heim were not penalized in the Martinsville incident. Even with that distinction, the aftermath pushed the relationship to an end. Lapcevich thanked Bryant for the past two years, and his comments made clear that the departure followed more than a simple change in plans. It came out of a confrontation that drew league discipline and forced the team to absorb the fallout. The result was a clean break before the final stretch of the season, with Lapcevich shifting to a different support structure while trying to keep his racing campaign together.

Championship race

Lapcevich entered the final two races of the season third in points, 55 behind leader Carson Kvapil, and he still had a mathematical path to finish second if he kept racing. That position gave the decision extra weight. He was close enough to the front to matter in the standings, but far enough back that every remaining race had to count. Leaving Chad Bryant Racing changes that calculation. Lapcevich said he remained focused on the drivers championship and on the commitments tied to his partners, which left his immediate future open even after Newport closed one chapter. The final race provided a sharp ending, leaving both his season and team alignment in flux.