Ricky Stenhouse Jr. takes on new challenge with NASCAR Truck Series start at Daytona

NASCAR veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 2023 Daytona 500 winner, is set to embark on a new series in a new race with rookie status in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. A decade and more competing at the top levels of the sport leave few new experiences, but the veteran driver steps into unknown territory with the green flag for the season-opening Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway.The start marks an elusive first for Stenhouse, who has competed in both the Cup and Xfinity Series but has never run in a Truck Series event. Driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado in a joint effort between Niece Motorsports and the Mississippi native, the opportunity and challenge of adjusting to a new discipline and a larger stage in NASCAR will be apparent.Stenhouse has made nearly 600 career starts across NASCAR’s national series but has not raced in the Truck Series until now. The opportunity arose from conversations with Niece Motorsports' new leadership, and the chance to make that first start at Daytona made it an easy choice. Stenhouse has been excellent at superspeedway racing for quite a long time, evidenced by his handful of Cup wins at Daytona and Talladega.Stenhouse has made nearly 600 career starts across NASCAR’s national series but has not raced in the Truck Series until now. The opportunity arose from conversations with Niece Motorsports' new leadership, and the chance to make that first start at Daytona made it an easy choice. Stenhouse has been excellent at superspeedway racing for quite a long time, evidenced by his handful of Cup wins at Daytona and Talladega.Bringing Stenhouse aboard is both a competitive and a strategic move for Niece Motorsports. Team leadership is confident their superspeedway experience will carry over immediately into results. Phil Gould and longtime team partner J.F. Electric will provide stability and veteran leadership for the No. 45 entry.Stenhouse will run more than just the Daytona Truck; he also has a ride for Atlanta in late February. The team will then rotate other drivers into that seat beyond those starts as part of a larger development and competition plan for the season.Also Read: Burglars loot late NASCAR star Greg Biffle’s home just weeks after his fatal plane crash