Ross Chastain Returns to Niece Motorsports for Expanded Truck Series Role
In the world of NASCAR, some bonds are forged in the fire of an underdog spirit. Long before the “Hail Melon” made him a household name and a pillar of the Trackhouse Racing stable, Ross Chastain was just another hard-charging driver from Alva, Florida, looking for someone to believe in him. He found that home in Salisbury, North Carolina, with Al Niece.
On Friday, the garage was reminded that those roots haven’t just held firm, they’re expanding. Niece Motorsports officially pulled the sheet off their 2026 plans, confirming that Chastain isn’t just returning to the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado. He’s taking on a significantly heavier workload that will see him in the cockpit for nearly a quarter of the season.
Ross Chastain Returns to Niece Motorsports for 2026
This isn’t a “guest appearance” or a one-off publicity stunt. The “Melon Man” is coming back for an eight-race campaign, a move made possible by a recent shake-up in the NASCAR rulebook. For years, established Cup Series stars were handcuffed by a five-race limit in the lower national series.
However, a major off-season adjustment now allows veterans with three or more years of experience to run up to eight races. Chastain, a man whose internal clock is set to “race everything, all the time,” didn’t hesitate.
As soon as the ink dried on the rule change, he was on the phone with Al Niece and Cody Efaw. For Chastain, the goal of maximizing his seat time officially runs through the Niece Motorsports shop.
The Social Media Signal: “Our Roots Run Deep”
The team didn’t let the news sit in a dry press release. They took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the sentiment that has defined this partnership for nearly a decade. The post, accompanied by a heavy-hitting graphic of the No. 45 Silverado, immediately set the NASCAR corner of the internet on fire. It served as a digital “welcome home” for the driver who essentially put the organization on the map.
Reunited with Phil Gould: Hunting for More Trophies
The most compelling part of this announcement isn’t just the quantity of races, but the quality of the pairing. Ross Chastain will once again be reunited with veteran crew chief Phil Gould. This isn’t just a professional relationship.
It’s a reunion of the duo that nearly pulled off the impossible in 2019, finishing as the Truck Series championship runners-up. Together, they have a shorthand that most teams spend years trying to develop.
Chastain already holds five of the organization’s victories, the most in team history, and delivered their breakthrough win at Kansas back in 2019. By putting these two back together for eight rounds, Niece isn’t just aiming for top-tens. They are going out there to spoil the party for the series regulars.
Mentorship and the Next Generation at the No. 45 Stall
While Chastain is there to win, his presence carries a weight that extends far beyond the checkered flag. Niece Motorsports is currently fostering a young crop of talent, including 19-year-old CARS Tour champion Landen Lewis.
Lewis will share the No. 45 seat with Chastain throughout the 2026 season, creating a masterclass-on-wheels for the rookie.”Ross has been a huge part of our team since he first joined us, and his input is invaluable,” noted Niece CEO Cody Efaw.
In an era when testing is nonexistent, having a driver of Chastain’s caliber analyze data and diagnose the Silverado RST’s handling is a massive competitive advantage. It’s an education for Lewis that no simulator can replicate.
What This Means for the NASCAR Landscape in 2026
This announcement sends a ripple effect through the entire Truck Series garage. When Ross Chastain enters a race, the intensity level doesn’t just rise. It boils over. For the series regulars fighting for a spot in the playoffs, the No. 45 truck just became a much larger obstacle.
For Trackhouse Racing, allowing their anchor driver to take on such a grueling schedule shows a deep trust in Chastain’s “busy driver” philosophy. Chastain has long maintained that he is at his best when he is constantly in a seat.
By maximizing his starts in the No. 45, he’s staying sharp for his Sunday duties while helping the team that gave him his big break. In 2026, the hardest-working man in the garage isn’t slowing down. He’s just finding a higher gear.
Conclusion: Loyalty in a Cutthroat Business
In a sport where drivers jump ship for the highest bidder, and teams swap talent like trading cards, the relationship between Chastain and Niece is an anomaly. It is a reminder that loyalty still carries currency in the garage. As the haulers prepare for the high banks of Daytona on February 13, one thing is certain: the “Melon Man” is back home, and he’s bringing the heat.
