Ross Chastain - North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Race Preview
Event: North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (134 laps / 201 miles)
Round: 11 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Location: Concord, North Carolina
Date & Time: Friday, May 23 | 8:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90
- Niece Motorsports Charlotte Stats: Since 2017, Niece drivers have made 23 combined starts at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team has accrued four top-fives and eight top-10 results over the years, including a race win in 2022 with Ross Chastain.
- Supporting a Great Cause: As Memorial Day nears, Niece Motorsports is actively raising funds for Wreaths Across America - a charitable organization that remembers the fallen, honors those who serve, and teaches children the value of freedom. To contribute to the cause, please visit this link.
No. 44 North Carolina Department of Transportation Protect Your Melon Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
- Chastain Returns: Ross Chastain will make his second NCTS start of the season on Friday night in Charlotte. The NASCAR Cup Series veteran last drove the No. 44 entry at Homestead-Miami Speedway back in March where he finished in sixth-place. Chastain will also pilot the truck at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, and Watkins Glen on August 8 to complete his schedule of events.
- Chastain's Charlotte Stats: Since 2012, Ross Chastain has competed in six NCTS races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, picking up three top-10 finishes in the process. Last time he drove a truck here, Chastain stormed to victory lane in 2022. In 11 NXS starts, Chastain's best finish was fourth-place in 2020. Out of seven Cup Series races, his best finish came last year when he ran eighth.
- Rogers' Charlotte Stats: Wally Rogers has called seven NCTS races at Charlotte and picked up his best finish of ninth-place with Matt Crafton in 2004. Though he was not on the box in last year's event, Rogers finished 17th in 2023 with Lawless Alan. Rogers has also made 12 starts apiece in NXS and NCS competition.
- On the Truck: Chastain's No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from the North Carolina Governor's Office of Highway Safety and Florida Watermelon Association. The Protect Your Melon initiative is centered around the importance of using seatbelts on the road.
- Patriotic Paint Scheme: The Protect Your Melon branding will carry a unique patriotic-themed paint scheme which ties the red, white, and blue stars and stripes with watermelon accents down the sides of the truck.
- Recapping North Wilkesboro: Conner Jones and the No. 44 team quietly worked on a solid outing in North Wilkesboro, but a flat tire derailed their finish. Jones started 23rd and gained track position throughout the opening stage. With just a handful of laps remaining in the second stage, the bead melted on Jones' right-front tire, damaging the truck in the process. The team made repairs to complete the race, but were shown four laps down in 27th-place.
- Owner Points Rundown: The No. 44 team slid back one spot in the owner points standings after last week's outing in North Wilkesboro. Now ranked in 18th-place, the team sits four points behind ThorSport Racing's No. 88 entry in 17th while being 14 points ahead of McAnally Hilgemann Racing's No. 91 Chevrolet in 19th.
- Quoting Chastain: What makes truck racing so exciting to watch at Charlotte?
“I think Charlotte is a great track for us to race on. The pavement is wore out and bumpy, so we’re always searching around for grip. With how short the truck race is compared to the other series, we all know that we have to make moves quickly to get track position. When we were able to win here a few years ago, it felt so rewarding because we had been close so many other times. I’m hoping we can have another chance at doing that again this week with our North Carolina Department of Transportation Protect Your Melon Chevy.”
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 200+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.
Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).
About the North Carolina Governor's Office of Highway Safety: Dedicated to reducing the numbers of traffic crashes and fatalities in North Carolina, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program promotes efforts to reduce traffic crashes in North Carolina and promotes highway safety awareness through a variety of grants and safe-driving initiatives.
About Florida Watermelon Association: The Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) was formed to enable growers and marketers of the Florida watermelon industry to unite. Organized membership allows the Association to promote the consumption of watermelons grown in Florida. The FWA assists its members in the growing and marketing of watermelons by providing a forum through this Corporations' meetings.
