Niece Motorsports, carrying impressive momentum and a stacked roster, heads into the season-opening NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at Daytona International Speedway with high expectations and passionate energy. This Niece Motorsports Daytona race preview explores the team’s driver lineup, key storylines, and the unique blend of experience and fresh faces set to make Friday’s race unmissable.
Niece Motorsports Brings Elite Driver Lineup to Daytona
This year, Niece Motorsports showcases an unprecedented constellation of talent for their Daytona campaign. The team’s four-truck stable includes newcomers and veterans alike: YouTube sensation Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland), action sports legend Travis Pastrana, returning sophomore Andrés Pérez de Lara, and 2023 Daytona 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Each driver brings their own following, diverse background, and aspirations as they chase Daytona glory in the NCTS season opener.
Garrett Mitchell’s Anticipated Truck Series Debut
Garrett Mitchell, better known to fans online as Cleetus McFarland, will make his first-ever NCTS start driving the newly rebranded No. 4 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet Silverado RST. The team’s offseason saw the truck switch numbers from 41 to 4, and this debut has energized supporters, especially those from Mitchell’s nearby hometown of Bradenton, Florida. Mitchell has ARCA Menards Series experience, with a personal-best ninth place at Charlotte Motor Speedway last year and one previous start at Daytona yielding a 30th-place finish.
Guiding Mitchell’s debut, crew chief Mike Shiplett brings years of experience, including a record at Daytona that features 13 Cup Series starts with a top finish of ninth, as well as victories across ARCA and NCTS events. On the spotter’s stand, Joel Edmonds, known for his work with Greg Biffle, serves as Mitchell’s eyes in the sky, enhancing the rookie’s prospects at one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable circuits.
Fans will have an exclusive experience, following Mitchell’s entire race via onboard camera coverage streamed live on NASCAR’s YouTube channel. Adding to the sense of occasion, the No. 4 will feature sponsor support from Black Rifle Coffee Company and BRUNT Workwear, running a stylized number in tribute to Biffle, a key mentor to Mitchell.
“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.”
– Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland), Driver
Travis Pastrana Returns to Racing Action
Fan favorite and multi-discipline racer Travis Pastrana rejoins the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports, piloting the No. 42 BRUNT Workwear Chevrolet Silverado RST. Known for electrifying action in motorsports and extreme sports, Pastrana last raced in NASCAR’s NCTS in 2023. This year, he returns with rookie crew chief Landon Polinski, who previously served the team as a race engineer before his promotion for the closing stretch of last season. T.J. Majors, a trusted and long-time Niece spotter, continues in his role for the No. 42 entry.
Pastrana enters Daytona with experience across NASCAR’s upper echelons: one Cup Series start here yielded an 11th-place finish, while his single previous NCTS race at the track saw him finish 13th. He has also partnered with Cleetus McFarland for pre-race training, and fans can watch both drivers’ weekend journeys via Pastrana’s Channel 199 YouTube channel. Like the No. 4, Pastrana’s truck is backed by BRUNT Workwear and Black Rifle Coffee, and features a unique number font as homage to Greg Biffle.
“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.”
– Travis Pastrana, Driver
Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Second Season Push
Young talent Andrés Pérez de Lara returns to Niece Motorsports for his sophomore campaign, again driving the No. 44 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST. After switching to the team midway through his rookie year and finishing strong, Pérez de Lara aims to build on last season’s progress. He has one Truck start at Daytona, finishing 14th, and two ARCA runs at the track with a best result of 12th.
The No. 44 is captained by experienced crew chief Wally Rogers, notable for his successful history at Daytona, and boasts former driver Andy Houston as spotter. Acceptance Insurance partners with the team and looks to support a promising run throughout the season.
“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.”
– Andrés Pérez de Lara, Driver
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Makes Long-Awaited Truck Series Appearance
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Cup Series veteran and Daytona 500 winner, is set for his first Truck Series appearance this Friday in the No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST. Stenhouse’s résumé at Daytona is outstanding, with 27 Cup Series starts, two wins including last year’s Daytona 500, and multiple top-five and top-ten finishes. He will compete in both the Daytona and Atlanta events for Niece this year.
Leading the No. 45 effort is Phil Gould, Niece Motorsports’ Director of Competition and its most successful crew chief, while Brandon McReynolds, who also spots for Ross Chastain in the Cup Series, provides the team’s eyes in the draft. Sponsors J.F. Electric and Utilitra support Stenhouse’s entry as he adapts to the distinct truck racing format at super speedways.
“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.”
– Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver
Key Sponsors and Partners Enhance Team Trajectory
Niece Motorsports’ 2026 campaign enjoys significant backing from several major sponsors. Black Rifle Coffee Company, founded by veteran Evan Hafer, returns as a primary partner, bringing a mission-driven approach and broad support from military and first responder communities. BRUNT Workwear, established in 2020, continues its commitment to innovation and worker-centric design across Pastrana and Mitchell’s trucks. Acceptance Insurance, part of the Confie group, extends its longstanding support as the No. 44’s anchor sponsor, focusing on accessible insurance solutions for communities nationwide. J.F. Electric and Utilitra, dedicated supporters of the No. 45, round out the sponsor group, all of which contribute to Niece’s high-profile presence at Daytona.
Supporting Cast: Crew Chiefs and Spotters Steer Success
Behind every Niece Motorsports entry is an experienced and trusted team. Mike Shiplett, Landon Polinski, Wally Rogers, and Phil Gould guide their respective drivers as crew chiefs, blending decades of combined experience. On the roof, spotters like Joel Edmonds, T.J. Majors, Andy Houston, and Brandon McReynolds deliver crucial race-long guidance, helping the drivers navigate Daytona’s high-speed chaos and strategic complexity.
What to Expect from the Daytona Showdown
This Niece Motorsports Daytona race preview underscores the unique convergence of star power, racing ambition, and technical expertise the organization is bringing to the season opener. With global motorsport icons, viral content creators, and proven winners all in the mix, Friday’s race is primed for drama, unpredictability, and plenty of action. Whether it’s a veteran chasing new milestones or a rookie learning the ropes, each team member has their eyes set firmly on making a mark at Daytona and setting a strong tone for the season ahead.
For fans and followers, Niece Motorsports promises not only on-track excitement but immersive access through live onboard cameras and digital content, making this Daytona opener a true must-watch for NASCAR enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
