Category: Truck Series PR

Open-Wheel Standout to Jump Start 2025 at Daytona International Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 9, 2025) – Spire Motorsports will field HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolets in select NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races in 2025 for open-wheel standout and Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day.

Day, 19, will compete in four ARCA Menards Series races behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet beginning with the Feb. 15 Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. In preparation for the event, Day will participate in the Jan. 9-10 ARCA Series test at the “World Center of Racing.”

In addition to the four-race ARCA slate, Day will compete in eight CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado. HENDRICKCARS.COM will serve as Day’s primary sponsor in all 12 events.

Veteran crew chief Mark McFarland will lead Day’s ARCA effort while Brian Pattie will continue to lead the No. 7 Silverado.

“When racing on dirt, you see the small, quarter-mile bullrings and the big, fast half-mile tracks,” explained Day. “Either way, the racing doesn’t change all that much. But on the pavement, you will run on everything from aggressive short tracks, to technical road courses and the beasts that are superspeedways. No matter the racetrack, there are several things I need to learn in these pavement cars to eventually gain that versatility. I’m excited to get down to Daytona, run some laps and build a notebook of knowledge about drafting tracks.”

Following the ARCA season-opener, Day is scheduled to return to the cockpit of the No. 77 Chevy at Phoenix Raceway (March 7), Sonoma Raceway (July 11) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 26).

His eight-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will include:

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – March 14
• Homestead-Miami Speedway – March 21
• Martinsville Speedway – March 28
• Bristol Motor Speedway – April 11
• Rockingham Speedway – April 18
• Nashville Superspeedway – May 30
• Indianapolis Raceway Park – July 25
• Darlington Raceway – August 30

Day began his career racing motorcycles and turned in two wheels for four at 10-years-old. He collected a host of micro-sprint victories from 2016 – 2020, including a win at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout in 2018. That same year, he was named King of California and scored back-to-back track championships at Plaza Park Raceway (2018-2019).

By 2020, Day progressed to the 410 sprint car ranks and quickly raced his way to the Winner’s Circle. A year later, he further diversified and bolstered his resume by becoming the youngest winner on the USAC National Midget Tour.

Two years later, Day dotted his schedule with 58 races, focusing mainly on midgets and sprint cars. The 2022 campaign saw Day collect 10 wins, 27 top fives, 35 top 10s and rookie of the year honors at the Chili Bowl – an iconic midget race in Tulsa, Okla.

“Corey has the raw speed that very few drivers have,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “What he’s done, at his age, in a sprint car is very impressive and it doesn’t take a critical eye to see that he has the tools to have an amazing career in NASCAR. Stock cars are a different animal than sprint cars but having Jeff (Gordon) and Kyle (Larson) in his ears is a big advantage. We’ll put Corey in good equipment with a very talented team behind him and do our part to contribute to his success. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is looking forward to seeing him on the track at Daytona and in all the events he has planned this year.”

Day continued to turn heads in 2023, earning 13 victories and following in his father’s footsteps to become a King of the West Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) 410 champion. He also picked up his first World of Outlaws win at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.

Last season, he raced full time in the High Limit Sprint Car Series while competing in select World of Outlaws events. He collected 10 wins, 25 top-five and 44 top-10 finishes in 73 starts on dirt, including his first victory at the famed Knoxville Raceway. He closed out his 2024 exploits with a win in a USAC Midget, to become the youngest winner in Turkey Night Grand Prix history.

The 2024 schedule also saw him transition to the pavement ranks where he scored a win in his late model stock car debut in the second of twin 40-lap features at Hickory Motor Speedway. Day continued to climb the ladder last season with four starts a piece in both the ARCA Menards and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“Those races will help me immensely,” said Day. “I think having any time on pavement helps me understand the feel of the car and even just how the shows run. When I was preparing for my first ARCA race last year, I had no feel for what to expect when I hit the race track. Now I have an idea of what to expect, but there will obviously be some growing pains to feel out. I have the baseline, I just need to continue to shape and refine my craft to continue to improve. I never thought my career would end up here. I only started racing sprint cars three years ago, so it is crazy how fast my career has progressed just in that time. I’m super grateful for all the people along the way that believed in me and my abilities to get me to this point.”

About HENDRICKCARS.COM …
HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 thousand new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Black’s Tire 200 to Open Easter Weekend Triple Header

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Jan. 8, 2025) – Black’s Tire, the family go-to tire destination, will serve as the entitlement partner for the April 18 Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race when NASCAR racing returns to historic Rockingham Speedway Easter Weekend.

The announcement carries forward Black’s Tire’s longstanding tradition of being involved with and supporting the foremost form of American automobile racing.

Black’s Tire was founded as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C., in 1929 and celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2024. With more than 70 locations in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, Black’s remains a local, family owned- and -operated tire retailer and wholesaler.

“We are extremely excited to partner with Track Enterprises when NASCAR returns to Rockingham Speedway,” said Ricky Benton Sr., Owner and Chairman, Black’s Tire Service. “In 2024, Black’s Tire celebrated its 95th anniversary and we can’t think of a better way to continue the festivities than supporting this historic weekend with the Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race.”

Rockingham Speedway, formerly named North Carolina Motor Speedway, was a staple on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule for nearly 40 years and included a veritable who’s who of stock-car racing royalty on its list of previous winners.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Black’s Tire as the entitlement partner for the Black’s Tire 200,” said Bob Sargent, President, Track Enterprises. “Black’s Tire is woven into the fabric of North and South Carolina so this is a natural fit. The Benton family has supported racing in the Carolinas at multiple levels for many years so we couldn’t be more proud to carry that tradition forward when the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Rockingham Easter Weekend.”

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports. Matt Crafton, a 25-year CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there 12 years ago.

Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham over a decade ago.

“On behalf of the over 1,100 team members at Black’s Tire and BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, we are honored to team up with Track Enterprises and Rockingham Speedway to bring NASCAR racing back to this historic track, said Rick Benton II, president Black’s Tire. “Black’s Tire is excited to be the title sponsor of the Black’s Tire 200. Our BTS family along with our BTS Partner Dealers across the Carolinas will be at the Rock in full force.”

The Black’s Tire 200 from Rockingham Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Friday, April 18 beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight time. The seventh of 25 races on the 2025 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Log on to RacetheRock.com for ticketing information, continuing details and schedule updates.

About Black’s Tire …

Black’s Tire (BTS) was founded as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C. in 1929 and celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2024. With more than 70 locations in both North and South Carolina, Black’s remains a local, family owned- and -operated tire sales and service and vehicle repair business. In addition to the retail and commercial locations, Black’s also operates 10 warehouse/distribution centers, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a commercial sales division, and a tire-retreading business, Carolina Retreads. Today, the Black’s Tire family includes more than 1,000 team members. To learn more about Black’s Tire or to find a location, visit www.blackstire.com. Follow Black’s Tire on social media: Twitter at @BlacksTire, Instagram at @BlacksTire and Facebook at facebook.com/blackstire

About Rockingham Speedway …

Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969.

In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.

About Track Enterprises …

Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023.

No. 1 Truck to Feature Four Different Drivers

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 6, 2025) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) has revealed its lineup for the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season. The team will compete in all 25 NCTS events, featuring a rotating cast of drivers including Brent Crews, Brandon Jones, William Sawalich and Lawless Alan.

Crews, a 16-year-old Toyota Driver Development prospect, is set to make nine starts, beginning with his debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May. Hailing from Hickory, North Carolina, Crews boasts a diverse racing background, having earned two ARCA Menards Series (AMS) victories and three CARS Tour Late Model Stock (LMSC) wins, along with being named the LMSC Rookie of the Year in 2024. Additionally, he captured the 2024 World Series of Asphalt super late model title at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway earning a top-five finish in all five races of the series. He also made history as the youngest winner (14 years, 3 months, 6 days) and champion (15 years, 7 months, 3 days) in Trans-AM TA2 Pro-Am Series history, in addition to numerous karting and open-wheel dirt victories.

The 27-year-old Jones is set to return to the NCTS for the first time since 2020, when he claimed a victory at Pocono (PA) Raceway and earned two top-10 finishes in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Currently the full-time pilot of a Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), Jones brings a bevy of experience to TRICON for his seven scheduled starts. With over 350 national series appearances, Jones has accumulated six wins across both the NCTS and NXS, with a best finish of sixth in the 2020 NXS championship points standings.

For the third consecutive season, rising-star William Sawalich will make several starts with the team. The longest-tenured member of the 2025 No. 1 lineup, the 19-year-old will compete in five NCTS races, alongside his full-time duties behind the wheel of a Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. In 2024, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota native made 10 starts with TRICON, highlighted by becoming the youngest polesitter in Talladega Superspeedway history. Sawalich also recently completed an impressive AMS campaign, securing 9 wins and capturing his second consecutive ARCA East Championship.

2018 Irwindale Speedway Late Model Track Champion and 2019 Trans AM TA2 Rookie of the Year, Lawless Alan will round out the TRICON lineup with four starts in 2025. Coming off his third full-time NCTS season, the 24-year-old secured his career-high finish of fifth at Talladega alongside a top five and four top-10 finishes in seven AMS starts with Reaume Brothers Racing. Alan makes the transition to the Toyota pipeline where he is slated to run the full AMS schedule for Venturini Motorsports in addition to his four truck appearances.

Jake Hampton, who has been with the organization since 2019 as a race engineer, will lead the No. 1 team from atop the pit box. In 2023, Hampton oversaw the No. 17 team as interim Crew Chief in 10 races, guiding Gray to three top-five finishes. As lead engineer in 2024, the 29-year-old played a key role in Gray’s first-career playoff berth while achieving eight top-fives, 14 top-10s, and a sixth-place finish in the final series standings.

A complete list of races for each driver is below.

Brent Crews: North Wilkesboro, Lime Rock, IRP, Richmond, Bristol II, New Hampshire, Charlotte ROVAL, Martinsville II, Phoenix

Brandon Jones: Homestead-Miami, Bristol I, Rockingham, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, Pocono

William Sawalich: Daytona, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Nashville, Watkins Glen

Lawless Alan: Martinsville I, Michigan, Darlington, Talladega

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is a professional racing organization fielding five full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries. Serving as the flagship Truck Series partner of Toyota Racing Development, the team plays an integral role in the NASCAR development ladder. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, TRICON has quickly established itself as the premier home for cultivating the next generation of motorsports industry professionals. Actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation, the team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Drivers to Attend 56th Annual I-500

Salisbury, NC / Sault Ste. Marie, MI (Jan. 6, 2025) – Two weeks before the start of the NASCAR season, Niece Motorsports will trade its traditional set of four tires for skis and chains as it joins the International 500 snowmobile race in collaboration with several of its primary partners.

Located in Michigan’s upper peninsula in the town of Sault Ste. Marie, the International 500 (I-500) is a race like no other. Since its inception in 1969, and in the decades that have followed, the event has captured a sizable following, thanks to its unique format.

Teams of riders work in shifts to complete the 500-mile distance all while battling subfreezing temperatures on grueling terrain. Specialized snowmobiles, capable of withstanding speeds of over 120 MPH, race handle-to-handle for several hours in a true competition of endurance.

The historic race is held on the only one-mile ice oval track in North America, attracting teams, fans, and media alike from the United States and Canada.

This year, Niece Motorsports and Precision Vehicle Logistics have partnered with the Hoos Racing team which fields the No. 67 Polaris for riders Jordan Carlson and LJ Quick. Hoos Racing has competed in the event for over 25 years, most notably winning the race in 2004.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers Kaden Honeycutt and Bayley Currey will be in attendance for the event and will interact with fans through autograph sessions prior to the start of the race.

From asphalt, to dirt, and now to snow, as part of a crossover between the various motorsports disciplines, Niece Motorsports’ No. 4 Dirt Late Model will pace the field of riders with the vehicle specially outfitted with studded tires, fit to make exhibition laps around the ice track.

Primary partners, Precision Vehicle Logistics, DQS Solutions & Staffing, Masked Owl Technologies, Wheeler Trucking, and Owosso Speedway – all companies based in the state of Michigan – look forward to supporting the event for the first time in conjunction with the race team.

“We are more than enthused to be a part of this unique and exciting event,” said Jason Wilson, VP of Precision Vehicle Logistics. “Being a part of the I-500, being held in the great state of Michigan, falls in line with what we are trying to accomplish within our relationship with Niece Motorsports. Jumping on board, and being a part of this event, with our other Michigan based partners reflects the representation, and love of motorsports that flows out of the state of Michigan, home of the Big Three (Detroit Three). Racing is a part of this states DNA, and we want to do what we can to highlight that alongside of Niece Motorsports, and our partners at DQS, MOT, Owosso Speedway and Wheeler Trucking.”

“I would like to thank Ric Federau for extending the invite to Niece, Precision, and all of our partners,” Wilson continued. “I would also like to thank Rex Wheeler, for letting us be a part of his title sponsored event there in Sault Ste. Marie, and we look forward to seeing our friends from North Carolina brave the elements in the month of January/February.”
Ric Federau, Chairman of the I-500, promotes the event as a chance to bridge the seasonal gap allowing race fans the opportunity to enjoy the thrills and excitement racing provides throughout the traditional offseason.

“Racing doesn’t stop when the leaves fall,” said Federau. “The I-500 is the NASCAR of snowmobile oval ice endurance racing. Every bit of ‘high octane’ excitement generated watching competitive racing within any motorsports racing arena will be experienced when watching the I-500 snowmobile race. Our objective is to build a year-round professional racing platform that provides fans with memories of competitive racing second-to-none creating memories that last a lifetime. It’s all left turns from here.”

The 56th running of the International 500 will take place the week of January 26th, leading up to the main event taking the green flag at 10:00 AM ET on February 1st. FloRacing will broadcast live coverage of the race in its entirety.

Visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, Niece Motorsports enters its tenth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

Rose to compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado

Salisbury, NC (Dec. 16, 2024) – ARCA Menards Series graduate Christian Rose is making the jump up to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for a full-time bid with Niece Motorsports in 2025.

Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Rose did not come from a racing background, but rather, was raised on his family’s farm. When he was a child, Rose dreamt about becoming a professional driver, but his path to the career was formed by a unique journey.

A former Division 1 college baseball pitcher, Rose graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2022, he was enshrined into the school’s Wall of Fame for his playing achievements. Shortly after graduating, Rose became a bouncer at a bar & grill in Ocean City, Maryland, before embarking on his driving career.

Starting out in Super Late Models, then later progressing into the ARCA ranks, Rose has gained experience racing on all types of tracks throughout the country.

In 2023, he joined AM Racing to complete two full-time ARCA national seasons – both of which resulted in top-five finishes in the points standings – highlighted by a third-place title run during his rookie year.

Looking ahead to 2025, Rose will take on a new challenge as he learns the ropes of the Truck Series. His rookie campaign will come from behind the wheel of the team’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

“For me, it’s a huge opportunity to make the jump from the ARCA Series,” said Rose. “I got my feet wet a little bit in the Truck Series a few years ago, but I believe in everything that we have going on in this building and am very excited to get to Daytona. The speed that we’ve seen from this team is a big reason why we signed our deal, and I’m just excited to make that transition. I think if we do the right things and show up and put the work in, we can have a lot of great things to look forward to next year.”

Rose joins fellow teammates Matt Mills and Kaden Honeycutt, who will both compete on a full-time basis for the team in 2025. Additional driver lineup announcements, along with primary partnership announcements for Rose’s truck, are forthcoming.

Niece Motorsports will enter its 10th season competing in the Truck Series in 2025, marking a milestone year for the organization.

“We’re all excited to welcome Christian on with our team next year,” said Cody Efaw, Niece Motorsports CEO. “I think our program has the possibility to have a banner year with the driver and partner lineup that we have. Christian’s drove well in his time running in ARCA, and he will have all the tools he needs to learn from our group of guys. It’s going to be a great year.”

Away from the racetrack, Rose enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Brooke, just welcomed the birth of their second son, Rip, a handful of weeks ago.

The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season will commence under the lights at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14th. Tune-in to FOX Sports 1 to see Christian Rose make his first NCTS outing with his new team.

Follow Christian Rose on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, Niece Motorsports enters its tenth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

HENDRICKCARS.COM to Support the Most Popular Driver’s Full-Season Effort

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 13, 2024) – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth will return to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado in pursuit of the division’s championship honors.

In addition to announcing his plans for the 2025 season, Caruth walked the commencement stage Friday morning to accept his college diploma. The newly crowned graduate collected a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University.

HendrickCars.com, the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group, will return to the team and serve as Caruth’s primary sponsor.

“I’m thrilled to confirm that Rajah Caruth will be back with us in 2025 driving the No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He took the incredibly high expectations we placed on him to start the year and exceeded them in every way. I’m impressed with how he’s balanced his commitments to his race team, his craft, the media and his growing fanbase while managing a full workload at Winston-Salem State University. Our organization believes in Raj and he has consistently shown the leadership, form and work ethic that every team looks for in a driver. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is really happy to run it back with him next season.”

Caruth, a native of Washington D.C., earned his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pole position and victory in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, becoming just the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race.

“It is great to have a home and stability heading into next year,” said Caruth. “I believe this is the first time in my career I won’t be with a new team or competing in a different series at the start of the season. I really appreciate the opportunity Jeff (Dickerson) and T.J. (Puchyr) have given me, and I’m excited to continue preparations for 2025. Our organization has really grown over the past year, and we have shown what we are capable of. We have set the bar high for the season and the expectation is to win more races and compete for a championship.”

The 2024 season marked a career year for the 22-year-old, collecting two Cometic Gasket Pole Awards, one win, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes across 23 races. Caruth compiled a 10.7 average starting position in 2024, nearly five positions better than his 2023 efforts, while his 11.6 average finish calculates to an impressive 6.6 positions better than the year prior.

Caruth raced part time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2022-2023 seasons and matched his career/series best 12th-place finish in October 2023 at Martinsville Speedway. He was named the 2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, an award based on a driver’s final Weekly Series national standing and on-track performance, sportsmanship and community service.

“Rajah is a young man of tremendous character and has proven to be a great representative of HENDRICKCARS.COM and our nearly 11,000 teammates across the country,” said Rick Hendrick, the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “In addition to being extremely talented, he has an incredible work ethic. We couldn’t be prouder to make this announcement on the same day Rajah and his family celebrate his college graduation. He has a very bright future in the sport, and we are thrilled to continue supporting his journey in 2025.”

“It is very special to have Hendrick Automotive Group and HENDRICKCARS.COM support me and my racing career,” added Caruth. “When I got the opportunity to drive their Xfinity car at Phoenix in 2023, it felt like an audition for 2024. I didn’t have any plans at that point. I’m thankful for everything Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick and all the great people at HENDRICKCARS.COM and Hendrick Automotive Group have done for me. I’m super thankful for their support and I’m ready to put on a show for them next year.”

The organization’s team and crew chief lineup is still being finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Over the past four years, Caruth has juggled a full academic course load while competing full-time in a touring division. In total, he completed 120 course credit hours while making a combined 108 starts between the NASCAR Xfinity Series, CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, in addition to various short track and road course events.

“I’m glad to be done with school,” added the second-generation college graduate. “It required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, along with diligent time management between coursework and everything associated with racing including team meetings, simulator time and travel. I appreciate everything Dr. (Clay) Harshaw, Dr. (Dennis) Felder and all my professors at Winston-Salem State have done to help me finish school while chasing my dream. It is super cool to have the faculty, student body and WSSU National Alumni Association following me in my journey and cheering me on. The crew chiefs I’ve had through the years have been flexible with my schedule so I could finish this chapter, and I’m ready for racing become my lone focus.”

The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season kicks off with the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The season-opener will be televised live on FS1, Friday, Feb. 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of the series’ 25 races will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About HENDRICKCARS.COM …
HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 thousand new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports campaigned the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fielded the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

Massachusetts Driver Making Leap To Truck Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 2, 2024) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) announced today that it has signed Toyota Driver Development prospect Gio Ruggiero for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season. The Seekonk, Mass. native will take over the reins of the No. 17 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

Ruggiero makes the jump up from the ARCA Menards Series where he collected seven top-fives and nine top-10s in 10 starts on the national circuit in 2024. He also competed full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East earning one victory, five top-fives and six top-10s in eight races. The 18-year-old brings a decorated short track resume as well that includes a prestigious Winchester 400 triumph and championships in the 2022 Show Me The Money Pro Late Model Series, the 2023 CRA Super Series and the 2023 Southern Super Series.

“I am super thankful to have the opportunity to run full-time with TRICON in 2025,” said Ruggiero. “I look forward to getting to work with all of the guys on the 17 team and contending for wins this season.”

“Gio has shown a lot of promise in his young career, and we are super excited to welcome him into our program,” said David Gilliland, partner, TRICON Garage. “Jumping into the Truck Series is no small feat, but Gio has proven that he adapts quickly, and we have no doubt that he will have a successful rookie season with us as he takes over the 17 truck.”

The Truck Series rookie becomes the fourth and final member of TRICON’s full-time driver lineup for 2025 joining Corey Heim, Tanner Gray and Toni Breidinger.

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is a professional racing organization fielding five full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries. Serving as the flagship Truck Series partner of Toyota Racing Development, the team plays an integral role in the NASCAR development ladder. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, TRICON has quickly established itself as the premier home for cultivating the next generation of motorsports industry professionals. Actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation, the team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet.

NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE RECAP: PHOENIX RACEWAY
Race: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship (150 laps / 150 miles) | Race 23 of 23
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Location: Avondale, Arizona
Date & Time: Friday, November 8th | 8:00 PM ET

No. 41 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05

Start: 18th
Stage 1: 26th
Stage 2: 25th
Finish: 21st
Driver Points: 18th
Owner Points: 24th

• Key Takeaway: Bayley Currey and the No. 41 team fought through handling woes at Phoenix Raceway. Currey started the race in 18th, but dropped outside the top-20 in both stages. The team gained a lap back by virtue of the wave around, but were in need of a late caution to advance further through the field. Currey finished the night in 21st.
• Bayley Currey’s Post-Race Thoughts: “We had to work hard all night. Our truck struggled early, but the guys got it pretty decent. We ended up going a lap down early but got it back. We were fighting really hard there and maybe we just did a little too much. Guys on new tires were coming at the end, and we were really hoping for a caution but never got it. Thank you to everyone on this No. 41 team. I know it’s been a a rough year, but they always kept fighting at it. Thank you to everyone with AutoVentive, Precision Vehicle Logistics, DQS, and Masked Owl for their support this year. It really meant a lot to me.”
  DQS Solutions & Staffing Mission Statement: The core mission of DQS Solutions & Staffing is to attain unparalleled excellence in our specialized domains, specifically staffing and security. Simultaneously, we maintain the flexibility required to collaborate closely with our clients in the creation of innovative products and services within the framework of DQS.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing

Start: 28th
Stage 1: 29th
Stage 2: 28th
Finish: 25th
Driver Points: 23rd
Owner Points: 26th

• Key Takeaway: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team had a quiet night in Phoenix after getting trapped a lap down early on. Mills started 28th and hung relatively around the same spot in both of the first two stages. The team made several adjustments to help the handling, but ultimately they were unable to get back in contention. The J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet finished the year with a 25th-place run.
• Matt Mills’ Post-Race Thoughts: “Man, that wasn’t the way we were hoping to end our season tonight, but regardless I’m thankful to everyone for all the hard work they put in with me this year. We went to a lot of these tracks basically for the first time with me in a truck, and I learned a ton. Definitely could have been better for us, but hey, I think next year we’ll be up-to-speed a lot quicker. We’ve got a whole offseason to prep and come out of the gate strong, and I think once we get the momentum heading our way we’ll be in good shape. Can’t say thanks enough to everyone at J.F. Electric and Utilitra for sticking with me, and to Al Niece for letting me race his trucks this year.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 44 PopSells.com Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Stefan Parsons | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Stefan Parsons Racing
@StefanParsons_
@Stefan_Parsons

Start: 23rd
Stage 1: 21st
Stage 2: 20th
Finish: 23rd
Driver Points: 26th
Owner Points: 34th

• Key Takeaway: Stefan Parsons and the No. 44 team were en route to a solid night at Phoenix Raceway but were unfortunately caught up in a multi-truck crash midway through the race. Parsons qualified 23rd and gained positions in both stages. The team received the free pass and worked inside the top-15 before the incident relegated them to a 23rd-place finish.
• Stefan Parsons’ Post-Race Thoughts: “It was awesome to drive one of the Niece trucks tonight. I really thought we could have finished top-10. It sucks that we got caught up in that wreck and had all that damage, but Jon Leonard did a great job bringing a solid truck to the racetrack and making it better all night long. I’ve got to thank PopSells.com, Al (Niece), Lane (Moore), and everyone at Niece Motorsports for the opportunity. I really thought we had a solid shot at a top-10, but it happens. I’m ready to go onto the Xfinity Series race tomorrow and see what happens there.”

About PopSells.com: Founded in 2009, Pop (PopSells.com) has grown to be the world’s largest online, full-service, marketplace for boats and recreational vehicles.

No. 45 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Kaden Honeycutt Racing
@KadenWHoneycutt
@KadenHoneycutt10

Start: 8th
Stage 1: 11th
Stage 2: 14th
Finish: 7th
Driver Points: 19th
Owner Points: 10th

• Key Takeaway: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team overcame adversity to finish the season with a top-10 finish. Honeycutt qualified eighth but slid to 11th in the first stage with a loose-handling truck. After making adjustments, they dropped to 14th in stage two, but were able to head in the right direction for the final stage. Honeycutt was given a restart violation late in the going but rallied back to cross the line in seventh-place.
• Kaden Honeycutt’s Post-Race Thoughts: “We had a great comeback tonight. At the beginning, I was free, so we came in and made a change to it. I was struggling with turn and drive-off. The right-front hung pretty hard so that gave us a slow stop. In stage two, we tried to work on it a little more, but tit didn’t do what we needed it to. Then in the final stage, I got us a restart violation which was 100% my fault. We came in, put tires on it, and made more adjustments, and it was extremely good. I think we drove from 21st to seventh.

We learned a lot about the truck tonight and what we need to do different when we come back next November. Hopefully by then, we’ll be running for a championship. I’ve got to say a big thank you to Al Niece, Cody Efaw, Lane Moore, Jason Wilson, just everyone that’s helped me race this year. Also, everyone at AutoVentive, Precision, Moore’s Venture Foods, for being great partners this year.”
About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman 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 X @NieceMotorsport.