Nitro Motorsports has filed a lawsuit against driver Leland Honeyman regarding a conflict over the car number he is assigned to drive in the upcoming 2026 ARCA Menards Series season, according to court records filed on February 27 with the Iredell County Clerk of Superior Courts. The dispute emerged after changes were made to Honeyman’s driving schedule and car number, prompting Nitro to take legal steps to resolve the matter.
Changes to Honeyman’s Driving Role and Car Number
Initially announced on October 28 as Nitro’s full-time driver of the No. 20 car, Honeyman’s schedule was reduced to part-time status on January 26, with the team assigning him to drive the No. 15 car in eight races. Court filings reveal that missed sponsorship payments by Honeyman led to this adjustment. The lawsuit states Honeyman acknowledged the missed payment and requested the adjustment to part-time.
According to Nitro’s complaint, this shift necessitated the car number swap from 20 to 15. The team alleges Honeyman agreed to the change and welcomed the fact that Danny Johnson would serve as crew chief for the No. 15 car. Nitro 2 also confirms that Jake Bollman was later named full-time driver of the No. 20, replacing Honeyman in that role.
Disagreement Over Car Number Change and Team Support
Despite Nitro’s claim of Honeyman’s acceptance of the new arrangement, representatives for Honeyman sent communication alleging he had not been properly informed about switching car numbers. Honeyman’s camp also questioned whether Nitro could provide competitive equipment, a suitable crew chief, and a spotter to support his performance in the No. 15 car.
Honeyman’s team suggested using sponsorship funds already paid to cover races at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and Toledo Speedway, contingent on having a mutually agreed-upon crew chief and spotter for those events.
Allegations of Contract Breach and Responsibility
Legal counsel for Honeyman accused Venturini Motorsports, previously acquired by Nitro, of failing to fulfill obligations by not providing a mutually agreeable crew chief and spotter. They asserted that this failure breached the agreement, excusing Honeyman from further contractual duties. As the letter stated,
“had obligations to provide a mutually agreeable crew chief and spotter to Honeyman and to make bona fide good faith best efforts to compete for victories in every race with Honeyman,”
but these were allegedly unmet.
Nitro’s Position on Contract Terms and Expectations
Nitro’s court filing argues that Honeyman has no entitlement to decide which car number he drives, especially after conceding to the No. 15 assignment with Danny Johnson as crew chief. The team insists that it has met its contractual obligations while claiming Honeyman is resistant to reciprocating those terms. Nitro’s lawsuit requests the court confirm:
- The contract was properly assigned and accepted by Honeyman.
- Honeyman does not have the right to select his car number.
- Nitro is not required to maintain Honeyman in the No. 20 car, regardless of full-time or part-time status.
- Neither Nitro nor Venturini breached the contract by changing Honeyman’s car number.
- Honeyman remains obligated to fulfill his contractual responsibilities.
Current Status and Potential Impact on the ARCA Menards Series Season
Neither Nitro Motorsports nor Leland Honeyman has issued public statements about the lawsuit as of now. This legal conflict could affect Honeyman’s participation and performance in scheduled ARCA Menards Series races, potentially influencing team dynamics and sponsorship arrangements. The court’s decision will be crucial in determining control over car assignments and contractual commitments moving forward.
