Niece Motorsports is set to make a strong impression at the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener this Friday at Daytona International Speedway, fielding four prominent drivers in their Chevrolet Silverado RST trucks. This lineup includes notable figures from motorsports, online content creators, and seasoned Cup Series veterans, positioning the team as a major contender in the race. The race marks a key moment for the team as they aim to showcase their talent and strategic prowess at one of the sport’s most iconic venues, advancing their presence in the NCTS circuit.
Introducing the Drivers and Their Teams at Daytona
Among the drivers competing for Niece Motorsports in the Daytona race is Garrett Mitchell, a popular YouTube personality known as Cleetus McFarland, who will debut in the Truck Series driving the newly rebranded No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST. Veteran crew chief Mike Shiplett, who split his leadership last year between other Niece vehicles, returns to oversee this entry with Joel Edmonds serving as spotter, bringing valuable experience from his years partnering with drivers like Greg Biffle. The No. 4 truck is supported by Black Rifle Coffee Company and BRUNT Workwear, featuring a special number font as a tribute to Biffle.
Action sports legend and NASCAR returnee Travis Pastrana pilots the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST, guided by rookie crew chief Landon Polinski and longtime spotter TJ Majors. Pastrana has previous experience with Niece Motorsports, although his last Trucks race was in 2023. Together, they will offer live onboard footage through NASCAR’s YouTube channel, giving fans an immersive race experience.
Andrés Pérez de Lara, in his second full season with Niece, drives the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST with Wally Rogers as his crew chief and Andy Houston as spotter. Having joined midseason last year, Pérez de Lara brings valuable momentum and aims to build on the progress made. Accepted Insurance remains the anchor sponsor on his truck.
Lastly, NASCAR Cup Series veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2023 Daytona 500 winner, will make his first Truck Series start for Niece Motorsports in the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST. Phil Gould continues as crew chief, and Brandon McReynolds returns as the spotter for this entry. Stenhouse Jr. will be competing in this race and the following at Atlanta, bringing seasoned skill and strategic insight to the team.
Fresh Truck Numbers and Support Staff Roles
This season sees the No. 4 truck unveiled for the first time, replacing the previous No. 41, marking a significant change aimed at reinvigorating the team’s brand and presence. Each truck in the lineup has specialized support crews ensuring peak performance, with experienced spotters providing critical assistance from above throughout the races.
Mike Shiplett’s knowledge from prior NCTS, NOAPS, and NCS events complements his leadership of the No. 4 team, while Landon Polinski transitions into his first full crew chief role after time as a race engineer. For the No. 42 truck, TJ Majors continues to provide consistent spotter expertise, essential for in-race strategy. Veteran Wally Rogers and former driver-turned-spotter Andy Houston bring stability and experience to Pérez de Lara’s No. 44 effort. Meanwhile, Phil Gould’s winning background as Niece Motorsports’ Director of Competition drives the preparation of Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 45 team, with spotter Brandon McReynolds providing familiarity from his concurrent role spotting for Cup contender Ross Chastain.
Drivers Share Their Thoughts Ahead of the Race
Garrett Mitchell, making his Truck Series debut, expressed enthusiasm about joining Niece Motorsports and competing alongside his teammates. He commented,
“I’m fired up to be racing for Niece Motorsports alongside Ricky (Stenhouse), Travis (Pastrana), and Andrés (Pérez de Lara). I feel really blessed to be on a team with them. This will be my first truck race, which is very exciting, and I want to make everyone proud. I’m hoping to go out there and use the things Greg Biffle taught me to stay on the track, keep my truck in one piece, and learn as much as I can. I’ve got a lot to learn, and I’m working my way towards running in the Daytona 500 one day, so this is the next step in that career path.”
Travis Pastrana expressed excitement about his return to the truck series, highlighting the unpredictable nature of racing at Daytona, saying,
“I’m pumped to get back on track at Daytona. This will be my first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race since 2023, so jumping back into the Niece Chevrolet is going to be a blast. Daytona is one of those places where anything can happen, and lining up with Cleetus and Ricky just adds to the fun. BRUNT and Black Rifle Coffee Company have been awesome partners, from everything we’re doing at Pastranaland to Channel 199, so it’s pretty cool to take on this next challenge together and see how it plays out.”
Andrés Pérez de Lara, returning to the team full-time, shared his motivation for the upcoming season, stating,
“I’m super excited to come back to Niece Motorsports after a strong building year we had in 2025. To carry that into 2026 with the same team, and by also welcoming Acceptance Insurance on board with us, I have extra motivation to go out and find more of those good results. I’m excited to return to Daytona, and I think that visiting these tracks again for a second time will be a good advantage. The whole No. 44 team and I are ready to have a great season.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. reflected on the differences he anticipates between Cup cars and trucks, emphasizing his preparation efforts,
“I feel like the Truck Series drafting races play out a lot different than the Cup or O’Reilly Series races. I feel like these will be more similar to the ARCA races that I ran back in the day a long time ago in 2008. I’ll watch a ton of film and talk to Phil to learn what their trucks are used to and find out what kind of issues to look out for. For me, it’s a lot of tape prep to see how the races play out at Daytona. Talladega is a different animal even though they’re both super speedways, so I’ll be deep diving in on Daytona. I’ll probably call a few people and see what they feel like in these trucks and find out what’s different than what I’m used to in the Cup cars. I just have a lot of book work to do.”
Strategic Partnerships and Team Ambitions
Niece Motorsports benefits from strong partnerships with sponsors tied closely to the team’s culture and goals. Black Rifle Coffee Company, founded by retired Green Beret Evan Hafer, supports the No. 4 and No. 42 trucks, emphasizing their mission to serve veterans, first responders, and patriotic Americans through high-quality coffee. BRUNT Workwear, sponsoring the No. 42 truck, is committed to providing apparel and boots designed with input from actual trade workers, focusing on durability and comfort for hard-working professionals.
Acceptance Insurance continues as the anchor sponsor for the No. 44 truck, backing Pérez de Lara’s ambitions. This insurer prioritizes community engagement and providing affordable coverage through a wide network of agents nationwide. The No. 45 truck driven by Stenhouse Jr. is supported by J.F. Electric and Utilitra, enhancing the team’s resources for a competitive edge throughout the early season.
Fan Engagement and Race-Day Experience
Fans can look forward to exclusive content during the race weekend, with both Garrett Mitchell and Travis Pastrana’s onboard cameras providing live streaming on NASCAR’s YouTube channel, delivering a real-time perspective from inside the trucks. Additionally, Pastrana and McFarland will share behind-the-scenes footage of their preparation and race activities on the Channel 199 YouTube platform, inviting viewers into their race-week journey.
Garrett Mitchell’s hometown of Bradenton, Florida lies just two-and-a-half hours from Daytona, ensuring strong local support from friends, family, and community members as he takes this significant career step. The team’s mix of veteran drivers and fresh talent amplifies excitement and optimism around their performance on this prestigious stage.
Outlook: What This Means for Niece Motorsports and the Truck Series
The entry of a well-rounded driver lineup featuring rising stars, content creators, and experienced veterans highlights Niece Motorsports’ commitment to growth and competitiveness in the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season. By leveraging talented crews, strategic sponsorships, and innovative fan engagement initiatives, the team positions itself for strong showings at Daytona and beyond.
This carefully assembled roster and support system not only aims to deliver immediate results but also shapes the longer-term careers of its drivers like Cleetus McFarland, who aspires to progress toward the Daytona 500 and higher NASCAR tiers. The combination of fresh energy and seasoned expertise sets the stage for a dynamic season opener that could establish Niece Motorsports as a formidable contender within the truck racing community.
