By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
Niece Motorsports will have a group of four drivers in their No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado throughout the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, up-and-coming drivers Kaden Honeycutt and Connor Mosack, as well as 2016 Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter will each drive the No. 45 Chevrolet. Chastain will drive in five races with Honeycutt behind the wheel in 12 races, Sauter starting the season at Daytona Int’l Speedway, and Mosack taking the reins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Chastain’s return to Niece marks his seventh year competing with the Al Niece owned truck team. The Alva, FL native earned four wins with the team, including three in 2019. That season, Chastain’s only full-time season with Niece in Trucks, he finished runner-up in the championship.
Competing in five races, starting with Circuit of the Americas, Chastain will aid Niece Motorsports’ campaign for a title in the Truck Series owner’s championship. He will also drive the No. 45 at Darlington Raceway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Pocono Raceway, and Indianapolis Raceway Park.
“I love coming to race in the Truck Series,” said Chastain. “I’m thankful to Al Niece and everyone at Niece Motorsports for allowing me to get behind the wheel of these Chevrolets. We’re going to do our best to go out and win races and compete for an Owner’s Championship. It would mean a lot to me to be able to bring that home to Al Niece.”
Also helping the team’s campaign for an owner’s title is up-and-coming driver Honeycutt. The Willow Park, TX native has run in 20 Truck Series races for five different teams, including Niece’s No. 44 Chevrolet at Pocono last year. Honeycutt has earned four top-10 finishes in his 20 career starts with a best finish of eighth.
The anchor driver of the team will have Page Construction and R.D.C. Shoe Company as the sponsor of the No. 45 Chevrolet. Honeycutt will have a busy schedule away from Niece Motorsports as he will compete in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series for JR Motorsports.
“Thanks to Al Niece and everyone at Niece Motorsports for the opportunity to go racing in top-tier equipment this season,” said Honeycutt. “I’m looking forward to having more time in one of these Chevrolets and competing for an Owner’s Championship with this group.”
Mosack joins Niece Motorsports after having a career year in 2023. The Charlotte, N.C. native earned his first career win in the ARCA Menards Series. He also earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“I’m excited to join Niece Motorsports this season,” said Mosack. “This is a strong group and I’m thrilled to be a part of it and learn from everyone here. I’m ready to get behind the wheel in Las Vegas and get the season started.”
With the No. 45’s 2023 owner points shifting to the Faction46 team as noted by NASCAR on FOX’s Bob Pockrass, Sauter will have to qualify on time in the season opening Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Of the veteran driver’s 24 victories, three have come at ‘The World Center of Racing.’ Sauter’s most recent pole position came at Daytona in 2021.
“I’m appreciative to everyone at Niece Motorsports for the chance to get back behind the wheel and start the season at Daytona,” said Sauter. “I’m ready to go racing and I know Phil and this Niece Motorsports team are ready to get back on track too. We’re ready to compete for a win in Daytona.”
The mix of experience and youth has Niece Motorsports excited for the season ahead. Bayley Currey and Matt Mills are full-time in the team’s No. 41 and No. 42 Chevrolets respectively. The all-star lineup in the No. 45 makes the three-truck organization a potent threat for wins throughout the 23-race season.
“Ross means a lot to our organization and we’re appreciative that he continues to come back and race with us,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “We’re also excited about the young talent we’ll have behind the wheel this season with Kaden Honeycutt and Connor Mosack. They’ve shown a lot of talent and we’re hopeful that we can help them polish that with more time behind the wheel.”
Sauter will start the No. 45 team off in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona on Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.