Category: Truck Series News

LONG POND, Pa. (July 27, 2019) – Ross Chastain and Niece Motorsports earned their third win of the season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Raceway.  Chastain led 54 of 60 laps in a dominating performance in the No. 45 Baja/Acurlite Chevrolet Silverado.

The win is Chastain’s third overall this season in the NGOTS, and the second win counting towards his bid to make the playoffs.

“We stomped them in the dirt,” said Chastain of the dominating performance.  “We pressed the attack.  I’m so dang excited.”

Chastain started second and took the lead on Lap 1, leading the opening 26 laps before visiting pit road under green for a scheduled pit stop.  Six laps later, Chastain made his way to the front of the pack again, leading all the remaining laps.

“I can’t say enough how proud I am of everyone at this organization,” said team owner Al Niece.  “We might not have as many employees as some of these other teams, or as big of a budget, but we do have a lot of heart in the shop and behind the steering wheel.”

On June 4, when Chastain opted to switch his points declaration from the NASCAR XFINITY Series to the NGOTS, the 26-year-old watermelon famer from Alva, Florida needed to win at least one race, while also making the top-20 in the driver point standings.

He now has two victories that count towards his playoff bid and sits 18^th in the driver point standings.

While the organization searches for a fulltime primary sponsor to join its championship bid, companies Baja and Acurlite joined the team the week of the race – as fans offering support to Chastain and the No. 45 team.

Next week, Chastain takes on a new challenge, visiting Eldora Speedway for the first time.

“Buck Stevens let me go out in his dirt modified this week and get some laps,” said Chastain.  “We’ll go try and press the attack.  We’re not going to back down.  I always thought dirt was for farming, and asphalt is for racing.  But we’re going to learn something new next week.”

The NGOTS will take the green flag for the Eldora Dirt Derby on Thursday, August 1 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

About Niece Motorsports: 

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece.  In 2019, Niece Motorsports enters its fourth season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.  Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices.  Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability.  The company provides water and fuel / lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry.  Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Stankiewicz to lead the No. 2 Chevrolet Team in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series

Statesville, N.C. (July 22, 2019)— GMS Racing announced today that Jeff Stankiewicz will assume the crew chief duties for the No. 2 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet piloted by Sheldon Creed in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS). Stankiewicz and Creed have history as the duo captured the 2018 ARCA Racing Series championship together.

Last season Creed won four races and earned 11 top-five, 12 top-10 finishes and three poles with Stankiewicz atop the pit box en route to the 2018 ARCA championship. Stankiewicz was previously with GMS Racing from 2015 – 2017.

With only three races remaining before the NGOTS Playoffs begin, the driver and crew chief are hoping to revisit their previous success.

“I’m super excited to work with Jeff again,” Creed said. “We had a lot of success last year and always seemed to be on the same page. We got along great and I’m pumped to see what we can do the rest of the season together.”

“I’m happy to be back at GMS and back with Sheldon,” Stankiewicz said. “We won quite a few races and a championship together last year, so I’m hoping we can pick up right where we left off. We’ve got three more chances to get a win to put Sheldon into the Playoffs, and from there we’ll keep building on what we’ve got.”

ABOUT GMS RACING

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series with drivers Brett Moffitt and Sheldon Creed, and in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with John Hunter Nemechek. The team also expanded their competition to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, as well as in the ARCA Racing Series with Sam Mayer and late models with Toni Breidinger. Since the team began in 2014, GMS Racing won the 2016 NGOTS Championship and has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at https://gmsracing.net/.

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 12, 2019) – Tyler Ankrum earned a first-career NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series victory when he took the checkered flag in Thursday’s Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky. The 18-year-old San Bernardino, Calif. native’s win also marked DGR-Crosley’s first victory in the series.

Ankrum made the move to the Truck Series this season after earning a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship title in 2018 with DGR-Crosley. Due to his age, he was forced to miss the first three races of the Truck Series schedule in 2019. Therefore, Ankrum was in a need-to-win situation to make the post-season Truck Series playoffs.

“I can’t thank everyone at DGR-Crosley enough: David [Gilliland], Bo [LeMastus], Bono [Kevin Manion] and everyone else for believing in me. They work so hard day in and day out. I cannot believe that we just did this; it’s incredible. This is a dream come true. I’ve always doubted myself, and I think tonight is going to wash all that away. I have a great group of partners this year that have gotten me this far, without them none of this would even be possible: Toyota, Railblaza, Academy Sports, Modern Meat. This is incredible. It’s going to take a lot more work to chase a Championship, but we are one step closer.”

Ankrum had a strong showing all night at the 1.5-mile track in Kentucky. He was scored fourth at the conclusion of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the 150 lap competition. He led for 40 laps in Stage 3 before giving up the lead on pit road. While many chose to short pit, Ankrum’s Crew Chief, Kevin “Bono” Manion gave up the lead in order to get more fuel in the No. 17 Academy Sports/Railblaza Toyota Tundra on the last pit stop of the race. The strategy played out in Ankrum’s favor when the No. 24 ran out of fuel with only a few laps remaining. Ankrum went on to secure a first-career NASCAR National Series win.

“I was so worried because I couldn’t see the 24 truck ahead of me,” said Ankrum. “They kept telling me they needed me to get all I could out of it and that’s what I was focused on. I think I forgot to breathe the last three laps. I’m so thankful for what we’ve done here. This is a total team effort.”

While the night was special for Ankrum, it was also one for the history books for DGR-Crosley and team owners David Gilliland and Bo LeMastus. In just the second year of operation, the newly formed driver development organization was able to pick up their first Truck Series win, giving them a win in every series that they compete in across late models, K&N Pro Series, ARCA and the Truck Series.

“This win is super special,” said team co-owner Gilliland. “We couldn’t do it without the help of Bo [LeMastus], Toyota and all of our partners who have supported us since day one. We have a great group of people who left other opportunities to take a chance on our team. We are working so hard on developing something special and different at DGR-Crosley.”

“I’m so proud of Tyler,” Gilliland remarked. “I’ve been watching him race since he was 11 or 12 years old. To see these kids grow up and watch them move up and succeed within our organization is really special and something that we are really proud of. I’m so proud of every single person that we have at DGR-Crosley. This is awesome.”

While Ankrum collected the win, his teammate Dylan Lupton also earned a career-high finish as he and the No. 15 Toyota Tundra team scored a fifth-place finish in the Buckle Up in Your Truck 225.

The Truck Series will have a week off before heading to Pocono Raceway on July 27.

ABOUT DGR-Crosley: DGR-Crosley is a race team owned by NASCAR veteran David Gilliland and Crosley Brands CEO, Bo LeMastus. The team specializes in driver development, competing full-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series and CARS Tour, as well running select ARCA Menards Series and late model races with factory support from Toyota. In its first year of operation, DGR-Crosley won 7 of 14 K&N East races, securing a Driver and Owner Championship. The team operates out of two buildings totaling 55,000 square feet in Mooresville, N.C.

The Premium Game Feed Brand Will Serve as Primary Sponsor for Kentucky

Concord, NC (July 8, 2019) – Spencer Boyd Racing is proud to announce associate partner Cargill’s Record Rack^® premium game feed brand has expanded their partnership with their driver, Spencer Boyd. Boyd will pilot the No. 20 Record Rack® Chevrolet Silverado this Thursday under the lights at Kentucky Speedway. The partnership between Spencer Boyd Racing and Record Rack® has been a growing relationship that dates back to last season.

“I am so thankful for the relationship that I have grown with the folks from Record Rack®,” states Boyd. “Everyone knows that I am a huge advocate for the outdoors and the relationship I have with Record Rack® just makes sense. I have personally been using Record Rack® for years and the results are second to none. Not only is the product easy to use, but it’s easy to find at your local Tractor Supply Co. Off the race track, I have had the opportunity to do some incredible things with Record Rack® like going hunting with Veterans from the ‘Bucks for the Brave’ Campaign and having a show truck out at RFD – TV’s The American Rodeo. I think it’s safe to say that the expansion of Record Rack’s ® partnership is going to stand out like hunter orange in Kentucky.” 

The Sportsman’s Choice® line of products include wildlife feed for deer & elk, turkey & gamebirds and pond & trophy fish. Record Rack® like “Golden Deer Nuggets™” and “Sportsman” products help attract and grow a bigger class of bucks.  Whether you’re a wildlife watcher looking to see more deer on your land, or an avid sportsman looking to bring in a trophy, they’ve got the right feed to meet your goals. 

Wildlife marketing lead for Record Rack®, commented on the expanded partnership, “When the opportunity arose for us to become the primary sponsor on Spencer’s truck, we could not pass it up. NASCAR is such a great market to reach outdoor enthusiasts and Spencer is such a great advocate for Record Rack®. We are very excited to see that No. 20 Record Rack® Silverado Thursday night.” 

Record Rack® will make their primary sponsorship debut with Spencer Boyd and the Young’s Motorsports No. 20 Silverado this Thursday. The Buckle Up in Your Truck225from Kentucky Speedway can be seen live on Thursday, July 11th on FS1. Race coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST, and the event can also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as SiriusXM Radio, channel 90. For more information and to stay up to date on all things Record Rack®, make sure to like ‘Sportsman’s Choice & Record Rack Feed’ on Facebook. 

About Cargill
Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

We combine 153 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.

MADISON, Ill. (June 23, 2019) – For the third time this season Ross Chastain visited Victory Lane with Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS).  This time, the win at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway counted towards Chastain’s bid to make the playoffs.

“This win means the world,” said Chastain.  “This team had a chip on their shoulder after last week.  We knew we needed to come here and win, and we were able to do that.  We didn’t have the fastest truck, but man we wanted it.  I’m so grateful to CarShield for coming on board this week; it feels great to bring them to victory lane.  A big thank you to our boss man Al Niece for allowing us the opportunity to do what we love.”

With clean air proving to be of utmost importance, Chastain and crew chief Phil Gould took a gamble late in the race, opting for a fuel-only pit stop.  The bold strategy call proved successful, ultimately moving Chastain to the lead as green flag pit stops cycled through.

The watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida was able to hold on to the lead, even through a late race restart with seven laps remaining.  The trucks behind Chastain had fresher tires, but the 26-year-old would not be denied.

“I’m so proud of this team,” said team owner Al Niece.  “Instead of letting what happened last week tear them apart, it only made them stronger and more determined to win.  Ross is a tremendous talent – this team has proven what they are capable of.”

Chastain’s push to make the playoffs to contend for the championship became a lot easier after Saturday night’s victory.  Coming into last night’s race, Chastain had six races to earn a win and move into the top-20 in NGOTS points to be eligible to compete for the championship.  After the victory, Chastain is 26^th in points, just 38 points outside of the top-20.

The win comes on the heels of a tough week for the organization.  Chastain and team found Victory Lane last week at Iowa Speedway, only to have the win taken away following post-race inspection.

The team’s luck began to turn around when CarShield opted to hop on board and sponsor the No. 45 Chevrolet. 

Headquartered close to Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway, in nearby Saint Peters, Mo., CarShield offers vehicle service contracts designed to pick up where automobile owners’ existing warranty drops off and to fill gaps in coverage. CarShield was founded in 2005 by principals Nick Hamilton, Mark Travis, and Rick Brettelle and specializes in shielding its members from the high cost of automobile repairs by offering a wide range of flexible vehicle service plans.

Chastain’s victory in the CarShield 200 presented by CK Power, is officially the team’s second win of the season.  Last month, Chastain and team visited Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway.

The NGOTS will return to action in the Camping World 225 on Friday, June 28 at Chicagoland Speedway.

About Niece Motorsports: 

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece.  In 2019, Niece Motorsports enters its fourth season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, with drivers Ross Chastain, Reid Wilson, Timothy Peters, Angela Ruch and Kyle Benjamin.  Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices.  Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability.  The company provides water and fuel / lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry.  Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.