Driver signing season is in full swing as NASCAR teams keep announcing new additions to their line ups for the 2026 season. Niece Motorsports entered the movement on Wednesday by signing 2025 CARS Tour Late Model Stock Champion Landen Lewis to their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team.
Lewis clinched the CARS Championship at North Wilkesboro Speedway last Saturday for Kevin Harvick, Inc. via Team Hornaday Development. The deal with Niece is starting out as a part-time endeavor
Lewis is Ready to Learn
“I’m super excited to join Niece Motorsports in 2026 and look forward to having a solid year learning all I can,” said Lewis. “I want to learn about these Trucks and build chemistry with the entire crew. I can’t wait to get there and start working alongside everyone.
“I’m just so thankful to everyone here – along with Cody Efaw and the ownership group of Josh Morris and Greg Fowler – for welcoming me as one of their own. It’s been a great year in 2025, and I’m looking forward to more in 2026.”
Race dates and crew chief will be announced at a later date, per Niece.
Lewis is a Winner with Hall of Fame Help
Lewis, the 19-year-old native of Ocean Isle, NC, comes to Niece Motorsports with checkered flags and championships to his credit. This was his first full-time season with the CARS Tour, after a part-time schedule last year.
For the past six years, he’s had guidance from two NASCAR champions, one who is in the Hall of Fame, and the other is most likely to follow. Ron Hornaday, a four-time NCTS champion, has worked with Lewis since he was 11-years old. Kevin Harvick signed him to his KHI team last year to run the CARS Tour.
Since then, he’s racked up four wins doing so at Ace Speedway, Anderson Motor Speedway, Florence Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“I just don’t think there are many kids that are left like Landen,” said Harvick. “When you look at his work ethic, determination, 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.
“We had no intention of running our car (CARS LMS) full time, but with who he is as a person we were like, ‘Hey, we need to give him this opportunity’ and it led him to the next one.
“I think from the outside looking in, the things I hear from Cody (Efaw) and Ross (Chastain), this is a great fit for him. The quality of people and the approach is the same from Niece Motorsports and Landen Lewis. I’m looking forward to seeing the combination.”
Team Hornaday Help
Hornady and his daughter Candice head up Team Hornaday Development. They saw Lewis’ future and brought them under their guidance to mentor his development.
“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. It’s a heck of a combination.
“He found a lot of success in Late Models this year, and there’s no doubt he’ll continue that in the Truck Series with Niece.”
Landen Started his Legacy Early
The driving phenom began racing Go Karts at age four winning national championships. When he moved to Legends cars, the winning and championships continued. He became only the second driver to win national championships on ovals, dirt and road courses in the same season. Lewis is also a five-time Road Course Champion in Legends competition and an ARCA Series winner.
“We have always tried to find that next young talent who we think is a future star in the sport,” said Cody Efaw, CEO of Niece Motorsports. “Landen Lewis is just that. 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. To us, we think Landen has the opportunity to put our team back into the spotlight as a threat week-in and week-out.
“I think with mentors like Kevin (Harvick) and Ron (Hornaday) in his corner, combined with our team, Landen definitely has a bright future ahead of him.”
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