Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is set to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2026, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Niece Motorsports. His first race will take place at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, followed by a second event at EchoPark Speedway on February 21. This marks Stenhouse’s first involvement in the Truck Series despite his long-standing NASCAR career.
Since 2009, Stenhouse has competed in NASCAR’s national series, primarily as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver known for his expertise on superspeedways. He plans to leverage this experience for his scheduled Truck Series appearances. Following these initial two events, other drivers are expected to pilot the No. 45 truck for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Details of Stenhouse’s First Truck Series Appearances
Niece Motorsports officially announced that Stenhouse will pilot the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST, with Phil Gould serving as crew chief during his two races. This debut offers Stenhouse a fresh opportunity to compete in a different NASCAR division with a competitive team backing him.
“I’ve always wanted to run a truck, but never had the opportunity to put something together,” Ricky said in the team release published by NieceMotorsports.com. “When Cody (Efaw) called me, I definitely had a lot of interest to see what all they have been building here at Niece Motorsports, especially looking at their level of competition.”
Stenhouse noted that his success at Daytona was a motivating element for his participation in the Truck Series.
“With it being at Daytona, obviously winning the 500 was awesome, and I’d love to win a Truck Series race there, too,” Stenhouse noted. “I’ve always wanted to race a truck, but I wanted it to be competitive, and this checks all of those boxes.”
Stenhouse’s Superspeedway Experience Brings Competitive Edge
Stenhouse brings a strong superspeedway record into his Truck Series debut, with four NASCAR Cup Series victories at Daytona and Talladega. He also holds a past win at Atlanta on the track’s previous layout, highlighting his skill on drafting tracks. This experience is expected to translate into immediate competitiveness in the Truck Series.
Cody Efaw, CEO of Niece Motorsports, expressed confidence in Stenhouse’s ability to contend for victories at the high-speed tracks.
“We are all very excited to welcome Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to our team for his first time racing in the Truck Series,” Cody said in the same NieceMotorsports.com release. “I’ve known Ricky for several years now, dating back to our time at Roush, and he’s always been a natural on super speedways.”
Efaw further remarked on how the two-race schedule aligns well with Stenhouse’s strengths.
“I believe he will have a true shot at contending for the win at both Daytona and Atlanta.”
Sponsorship and Team Strategy for 2026 Season
J.F. Electric, a family-owned electrical contracting company from Illinois with over a century of history, will be the primary sponsor for Stenhouse’s Truck Series races. Their support highlights the significance of these events for both the team and the sponsor.
Greg Fowler, CEO and Chairman of J.F. Electric, emphasized the importance of the Daytona event.
“Josh Morris and I are thrilled to welcome Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to Niece Motorsports for his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Daytona. There’s no bigger stage for a debut than Daytona, and we believe Ricky gives our team a real opportunity to contend for the win.”
According to Niece Motorsports, after Stenhouse’s two-race stint, Ross Chastain is scheduled to take over driving duties in the No. 45 truck for eight more races during the 2026 season. The season will officially begin on Friday, February 13, at Daytona International Speedway, with live coverage on FS1.
This move demonstrates Niece Motorsports’ strategic approach by combining Stenhouse’s superspeedway talent with a competitive team and strong sponsorship to make an impactful entry into the Truck Series. His participation is anticipated to generate excitement for fans and boost the team’s performance in key early-season events.
