Ross Chastain - North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Race Recap
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
No. 44 North Carolina Department of Transportation Protect Your Melon Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Start: 4th | Stage 1: 2nd | Stage 2: 5th
Finish: 2nd | Driver Points: N/A | Owner Points: 16th
- Key Takeaway: Ross Chastain and the No. 44 team ran at the front of the pack at Charlotte, showcasing a large amount of pace throughout the 134-lap event. Chastain was the truck to beat in practice, and rolled off the starting grid from fourth-place. With two strong opening stages, the team amassed 15 stage points by finishing second and fifth, respectively. The team put up a great fight for the race win, but ultimately came up one spot shy of the victory.
- Ross Chastain's Post-Race Thoughts:
Interviewer: You guys fired off really well; it just felt like you didn't have enough in the long-run to track down the No. 11. How do you evaluate the night?
“Best in class, for sure, Josh (Sims). That’s a heck of an effort for Niece Motorsports across the board for three in the top-seven, with Kaden right there on my rear bumper. That’s what we look for - we look for competition across all three trucks for Al, and Al’s super happy to get a ton of points and just have fast trucks. So for Matt (Mills), great run for their J.F. Electric Chevy.
But for us, the Protect Your Melon Chevy, it’s best in class. I mean, the No. 11 with Corey (Heim) and Scott (Zipadelli), they’re the best in the field right now and none of us had anything for them. The No. 7 (Kyle Busch), 38 (Chandler Smith), and 34 (Layne Riggs), we’re all racing amongst each other. Heck of a race back there with us. I could hold on for a few laps, but yeah, you’re right. We’ve got to make it last longer.”
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.
