Niece Motorsports is preparing for an unprecedented challenge as the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series makes its first appearance at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend. This eagerly anticipated event kicks off the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150, marking a pivotal moment for the team and launching four road course battles in the 2026 season, making this the focal point for any Niece Motorsports road course preview.
A Landmark Start for the NASCAR Truck Series at St. Petersburg
This Saturday will usher in a new era as the Truck Series embarks on its inaugural race at St. Petersburg, one of four road courses on the 2026 calendar. Other tracks slated for this unique challenge include Watkins Glen International, Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, and Lime Rock Park, intensifying the championship’s diversity and technical depth.
Spotlight: Ben Maier’s Entry with Niece Motorsports
Seventeen-year-old Ben Maier will pilot the No. 4 DQS Solutions & Staffing / J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST, guided by crew chief Mike Shiplett. Maier, recently crowned the 2025 CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series champion, brings a decorated history from Trans-Am TA2 and national karting ranks, as well as podiums in Stadium Super Truck and Nitro RallyCross events. His previous introductions to the Truck Series included appearances at Lime Rock Park and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, recording a best finish of 18th at Lime Rock in 2025.
Mike Shiplett, taking on his first road course as a crew chief in the NCTS, carries significant experience in top-tier stock car racing, with 22 NASCAR Cup Series road course starts and four prior NCTS starts, including a best Truck Series finish of sixth at the Charlotte ROVAL in 2025.
This weekend, Maier’s No. 4 entry is supported by DQS Solutions & Staffing, J.F. Electric, and BOE Marine. DQS, recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company, prides itself on custom business solutions and philanthropy, while J.F. Electric contributes five generations of expertise in utility and industrial projects. BOE Marine adds local flavor, being Maryland-based and renowned for their leadership in marine electronics and service-first culture.
Maier’s enduring background in competitive karting and road course racing has shaped him into a versatile contender ready for the unknowns of St. Petersburg. With 13 national and regional karting titles, his transition to professional circuits has been marked by quick adaptation and a passion for technical tracks.
“I thought that the trucks were going to be a lot more different compared to a Trans-Am car because they are heavier and have more power, but I thought the two felt very similar. There are some slight differences between the two, and the trucks are noticeably heavier, but that makes them super fun to drive. I think Saturday’s race at St. Pete will be an awesome opportunity for us, and I’m very thankful to everyone at DQS, J.F. Electric, BOE Marine, Niece Motorsports, and Team Chevy for letting me be a part of it.”
— Ben Maier, Driver
Introducing the No. 42: Tyler Reif’s Road Course Pedigree
Tyler Reif enters St. Petersburg behind the wheel of the No. 42 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST, with Landon Polinski making his debut at a road course as crew chief. Reif has accumulated substantial road course credentials in ARCA and ARCA West regional competitions, including a best finish of second at both Watkins Glen in 2025 and Sonoma in 2024. Polinski joins after his own learning experience at the Charlotte ROVAL in 2025, where the team finished 17th.
Reif’s off-season included dominance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, netting him the Silver State Road Course Series championship in INEX U.S. Legends Cars after six wins in 10 contests. This preparation complements his NASCAR learning, which notably continued in Atlanta where he finished 17th, moving him into a tie for 18th in the season’s owner points standings—just a narrow 17 points from Chase qualification, a gap that could close with a strong St. Pete performance.
“I just think road courses fit my natural driving style. For me, I love finding that balance of keeping the vehicle on-track, but also pushing the limits of the tire at the same time. This week will be a really important race for us because we need to execute all day to stay up front. The way I look at it, there are about 10 different oval track laps in one lap on a road course, so getting the most out of every corner will be crucial for us to have a good run. I’m really looking forward to seeing what our No. 42 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics team has in store for St. Pete.”
— Tyler Reif, Driver
Reif’s No. 42 machine will run with the support of AutoVentive, a leader in automotive logistics software, and Precision Vehicle Logistics, which is committed to innovative vehicle transport solutions and customer-driven results.
Andrés Pérez de Lara Targets Success with the No. 44
Andrés Pérez de Lara will take on St. Petersburg with the No. 44 Zambos Chevrolet Silverado RST, aided by crew chief Wally Rogers. This event is a milestone for both, with Pérez de Lara achieving a best NCTS finish of 17th at Lime Rock in 2025, and Rogers returning to a road course crew chief role, where his best Truck Series finish is seventh, also at Lime Rock last season.
Zambos, the renowned Honduran plantain chip brand, makes its NASCAR debut as Pérez de Lara’s chief supporter this weekend. The twenty-year-old driver’s heritage in karting, Formula 4, and the NASCAR Mexico Series speaks to his adaptability, and he has notched wins across all disciplines, leveraging robust road course skills honed since his earliest motorsports days.
The prior race in Atlanta saw Pérez de Lara rapidly contesting for top-five positions before closing in 15th, bolstering his standing to a tie for sixth in driver points, just six behind Stewart Friesen and nine above the current Chase cutoff—placing added emphasis on a strong St. Petersburg campaign.
“I’m just super excited for the first road course of the year and have had this one circled on my calendar for a while now. St. Pete is a new track for everybody, so it’s a big unknown on what to expect, but I think my adaptability on the road courses will be a nice advantage to have. Hopefully, we’re fast right off the truck with our Zambos Chevy so we can fight up front and race for the win on Saturday.”
— Andrés Pérez de Lara, Driver
Zambos, famous throughout Central America and beyond for its authentic Honduran plantain chips, furthers the brand’s reach with this sponsorship, resonating with the global diversity NASCAR events now attract.
Landen Lewis Debuts for Niece Motorsports at St. Pete
Emerging star Landen Lewis steps up for his first NCTS start of 2026 in the No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST, replacing Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and sharing the anchor role with Ross Chastain for the remainder of the season. As reigning CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series champion, Lewis is lauded for his accomplishments in road course and U.S. Legends Car competition, collecting four straight national titles and the world championship in 2024. He’s also a proven ARCA winner, having triumphed from pole at Portland in 2023.
Crew chief Phil Gould, another road course veteran, starts his first NCTS road event alongside Lewis. Gould’s Truck Series track record includes a pole at Sonoma, two top-fives, and a top run of third at Mid-Ohio in 2022. Their new partnership will benefit from experience and resilience, qualities shown during Atlanta when Stenhouse Jr. led late, ultimately finishing ninth, securing the No. 45’s spot tied for fifth in the owner standings with a 12-point Chase buffer.
“This year, I’m mainly looking to build a relationship with Phil (Gould) and all the guys on this No. 45 team. We want to continue to start off on a strong note as far as a good, solid finish and just build on it every single week that we go to the track together. I’ve ran on some road courses in NASCAR before – Sonoma, Portland, and Mid-Ohio, so I have a little bit of stock car experience on them. It’s honestly one of my favorite types of tracks to run. These races are so driver-focused and there’s a lot of work that we have to do to make speed, so I’m happy that St. Pete is my first race with the team.”
— Landen Lewis, Driver
The No. 45 team is supported by J.F. Electric and Utilitra, leveraging cutting-edge engineering and infrastructure to back their pursuit of consistent top-tier finishes.
Road Course Experience and Sponsor Roster Enrich Niece Program
Each of the drivers brings distinct road course strengths, with backgrounds traversing karting, ARCA, Trans-Am, U.S. Legends Cars, and international series, ensuring that experience will be critical as all teams tackle the new and technical layout of St. Petersburg.
Sponsors integral to Niece’s lineup this weekend—DQS Solutions & Staffing, J.F. Electric, BOE Marine, AutoVentive, Precision Vehicle Logistics, Zambos, and Utilitra—enhance each driver’s effort with extensive industry backgrounds and commitments to technological advancement, customer service, and community engagement.
The Stakes of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for Niece Motorsports
With the owner and driver points tables closely contested—Pérez de Lara on the edge of the top five, Reif and his team within striking distance of Chase advancement, and Lewis poised for a breakthrough debut—St. Petersburg sets the tone for the 2026 road course season. Niece’s roster is hungry for results, backed by experienced crew chiefs like Mike Shiplett, Landon Polinski, Wally Rogers, and Phil Gould, whose combined efforts are expected to yield valuable data as well as podium ambitions.
Why St. Pete Matters for the Team’s Road Course Campaign
The introduction of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as a points-paying NASCAR Truck Series venue signals not only a new technical challenge for Niece Motorsports but also opens the door for emerging talents and innovative strategies. With each driver bringing a portfolio of international and domestic road course achievements, and sponsors with deep commitment to motorsport and community success, the event promises fierce competition and the potential for career-defining runs.
The results this weekend will not just shape the chase for playoff positions but will also illuminate which rival teams and drivers have adapted fastest to the demands of street course racing. As Niece Motorsports faces off against the field, all eyes are on St. Pete for the answers that will dictate the narrative for the rest of the 2026 campaign.
