Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is scheduled to make his inaugural appearance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, driving the No. 45 truck for Niece Motorsports, the team confirmed on January 14. His debut will take place at the Daytona International Speedway, followed by a race at EchoPark Speedway, with sponsorship support from JF Electric. This marks a significant step for Stenhouse as he ventures into a new NASCAR division.
Stenhouse’s Enthusiasm for Truck Racing and Competitive Ambitions
Expressing his excitement, Stenhouse shared,
“I’ve always wanted to run a truck, but never had the opportunity to put something together,”
highlighting his long-standing interest in this racing format. After being contacted by Niece Motorsports CEO Cody Efaw, he was eager to join a team known for strong competition. He further noted,
“With it being at Daytona, obviously winning the [Daytona] 500 was awesome, and I’d love to win a Truck Series race there, too. I’ve always wanted to race a truck, but I wanted it to be competitive — and this checks all of those boxes.”
Niece Motorsports and Team Expectations
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be part of Niece Motorsports’ No. 45 lineup, which also features drivers Landen Lewis and Ross Chastain this season. CEO Cody Efaw commented on Stenhouse’s addition:
“We are all very excited to welcome Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to our team for his first time racing in the Truck Series.”
Efaw, who has known Stenhouse since their days at Roush, added,
“I believe he will have a true shot at contending for the win at both Daytona and Atlanta,”
emphasizing Stenhouse’s proven skill on super speedways.
Stenhouse’s Racing Background and Recent Performance
Although Stenhouse has accumulated hundreds of starts across NASCAR’s national series since 2009, he has never competed in a Truck Series race before. Additionally, he has only participated in two non-Cup events over the past decade. In the 2025 season, he drove for Hyak Motorsports in the Cup Series, securing one top-five and three top-10 finishes, demonstrating his competitive edge leading into the Truck Series debut.
Looking Ahead to a New Chapter in Stenhouse’s Career
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s transition into the Truck Series represents a fresh and promising challenge, offering him opportunities to build on his past successes and adapt to a new racing environment. With strong team backing from Niece Motorsports and his ambition to win at renowned venues like Daytona and Atlanta, this move could have a notable impact on his racing career trajectory in NASCAR.
