Daytona 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will make his highly anticipated NASCAR Truck Series debut with Niece Motorsports, taking the wheel of the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, followed by another appearance at EchoPark Speedway on February 21. Stenhouse’s entry into the NASCAR Truck Series brings a proven superspeedway racer to the season’s opener, creating excitement for both his fans and the motorsports community.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Brings Proven Experience to the Truck Series
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., well known for his strength on superspeedways, is entering his 14th season as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver and his sixth with HYAK Motorsports. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native claimed the 2023 Daytona 500 victory and has accumulated three additional Cup Series wins in superspeedway events—securing victories at both Daytona and Talladega. Notably, Stenhouse boasts an extensive racing resume with 472 Cup Series starts, 110 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races, and eight series wins.
Truck Series Debut Announced by Niece Motorsports
On January 14, 2026, Niece Motorsports revealed their latest addition for the upcoming season opener through a statement:
“NEWS: A champion is checking in!@StenhouseJr joins Niece Motorsports to make his @NASCAR_Trucks debut, piloting the No. 45 Chevy Silverado at @DAYTONA and @EchoParkSpdwy. #PressTheAttack | #TeamChevy pic.twitter.com/rSAOgq7HN5″— Niece Motorsports (@NieceMotorsport)
Stenhouse will compete in two highly anticipated events—the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway and the Truck Series race at EchoPark Speedway, previously called Atlanta Motor Speedway. Both tracks are notable for their high-speed drafting races, where Stenhouse’s superspeedway experience is expected to play a pivotal role.
Recent Performance and Future Plans
In his most recent Cup Series appearances at EchoPark Speedway, Stenhouse finished fifth and sixth, showing consistency at this challenging superspeedway. Interestingly, EchoPark remains the only drafting track where he has yet to secure a Cup Series win. Following his two Truck Series starts, driving duties for the No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado will transition to Landen Lewis and current Cup Series driver Ross Chastain for the remainder of the season.
The Significance of Stenhouse’s Entry in NASCAR’s Truck Series
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s debut in the NASCAR Truck Series injects both star power and seasoned skill into the 2026 season, positioning Niece Motorsports as a notable contender for the early races. With his record at superspeedways and history as a Daytona 500 champion, Stenhouse offers valuable experience to the field. His performances at Daytona and EchoPark Speedway will be watched closely, as fans and teams anticipate the impact his presence could have on the dynamics of this year’s NASCAR Truck Series campaign.
NEWS: A champion is checking in!@StenhouseJr joins Niece Motorsports to make his @NASCAR_Trucks debut, piloting the No. 45 Chevy Silverado at @DAYTONA and @EchoParkSpdwy. #PressTheAttack | #TeamChevy pic.twitter.com/rSAOgq7HN5
— Niece Motorsports (@NieceMotorsport) January 14, 2026
