Next Chapter Begins: Landen Lewis Heads to Niece Motorsports!
When you’ve been around NASCAR long enough, you learn to spot the real deals. The drivers who have that special something, including the hunger, talent, and work ethic, that separates them from the rest of the pack. Landen Lewis has all three in spades. At just 19 years old, this North Carolina native has just inked a deal with Niece Motorsports for a part-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opportunity starting in 2026, and frankly, it couldn’t happen to a more deserving young man.
Lewis Earned Every Bit of This Opportunity
This isn’t some rich kid buying his way into a ride. Lewis has ground it out on short tracks across the Southeast, winning in everything he’s touched. His 2025 campaign in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series was nothing short of dominant, with four wins at tracks like Ace Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Anderson Motor Speedway, and Florence Motor Speedway. That’s not luck.
That’s pure skill and determination. What makes Lewis special isn’t just his ability to wheel a race car. It’s his approach to the sport. He’s methodical, respectful, and hungry in all the right ways. You don’t see many young drivers willing to put in the grunt work on dirt tracks and short ovals anymore. Most want to skip straight to the big leagues. But Lewis understood something that many don’t: that you have to earn your stripes.
“I’m super excited to join Niece Motorsports in 2026 and look forward to having a solid year learning all I can,” Lewis said after the announcement. “I want to learn about these trucks and build chemistry with the entire crew.”That right there tells you everything you need to know about this kid’s mindset. He’s not talking about wins or championships. He’s talking about learning and building relationships. That’s the attitude of a driver who gets it.
Kevin Harvick Sees Something Special
When Kevin Harvick speaks about young talent, people listen. The former Cup Series champion has been mentoring Lewis throughout his career, and his words carry serious weight in the garage.”I just don’t think there are many kids that are left like Landen,” Harvick said. “When you look at his work ethic, determination, and ability, and the sacrifices that he makes with his time, it’s contagious.
It attracts people to him. It attracts sponsors, and it attracts everybody to want to support him,” he said.Coming from a guy who won 60 Cup Series races and a championship, that’s about as high praise as you can get. Harvick has seen countless drivers come and go, and for him to single out Lewis like that speaks volumes about the young man’s character and potential.
Ron Hornaday Adds His Stamp of Approval
If Harvick’s endorsement wasn’t enough, Lewis also has the backing of Ron Hornaday, a four-time Truck Series champion who knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in NASCAR’s third tier.”Nobody deserves this opportunity with Niece Motorsports more than Landen,” Hornaday said.
“He’s worked his tail off to get here, and I couldn’t be happier for him. You don’t see too many drivers come along that have his level of talent, focus, and competitive fire.”When legends of the sport are lining up to vouch for you, that’s a pretty good sign you’re on the right track. Hornaday has been coaching Lewis on and off the track for years, helping shape him into the driver he is today.
Niece Motorsports: The Perfect Launching Pad
Niece Motorsports has built a reputation as a place where young talent can flourish. Founded by Marine Corps veteran Al Niece in 2016, the organization has become known for giving drivers the tools and support they need to succeed. Just look at what Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar accomplished during their time with the team. Both are now competing at the Cup Series level.
Cody Efaw, the team’s CEO, clearly sees something special in Lewis.”Landen Lewis is just that, a future star,” Efaw said. “He’s been on our radar for a couple years now, and we have quietly watched him grow into a well-rounded driver who shines in any vehicle he gets into.
“I think of guys like Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar who both made the most of their opportunity with our team, and it’s showing on Sundays,” he added. This comparison to Chastain and Hocevar is significant. Both drivers used their time at Niece as a springboard to bigger opportunities, and there’s no reason to think Lewis can’t follow the same path.
What This Means for Lewis Moving Forward
Being named an “anchor driver” for a part-time schedule might seem modest, but it’s actually an innovative approach. Lewis will get the chance to learn the trucks, build relationships with the crew, and develop his skills without the pressure of a full-time schedule. It’s the kind of measured development that too often gets skipped in today’s rush-to-the-top mentality.
The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season kicks off under the lights at Daytona on Friday, February 13. While specific details about Lewis’s schedule, truck number, and sponsors haven’t been announced yet, the foundation is solid. With mentors like Harvick and Hornaday in his corner and a team like Niece backing him, Lewis has everything he needs to succeed.
What’s Next?
Lewis’ signing represents something bigger than just another driver announcement. It’s proof that the traditional path to NASCAR success, grinding it out on short tracks, earning respect, and building relationships, still works. In an era where too many young drivers seem entitled to success, Lewis stands out as someone who understands that opportunity is earned, not given. The kid from Ocean Isle Beach is about to get his chance to shine on a bigger stage. Based on everything he’s accomplished so far and the people who believe in him, don’t be surprised if this is just the beginning of something special.
