ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion, Andrés Pérez de Lara, has inked a deal to complete the remainder of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season with Niece Motorsports beginning this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
The latest addition to the organization’s driver lineup comes on the heels of Pérez de Lara’s former team, Spire Motorsports, announcing his permission to seek other opportunities outside of the No. 77 entry where he completed the first 17 races of the year.
Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Pérez de Lara began his driving career at the young age of 11-years-old through karting, and later moved up the open wheel ladder to compete in L-A Formula 4 before transitioning into stock cars.
In 2023, Pérez de Lara was signed by Rev Racing, a Chevrolet development team, for two years in ARCA. After securing Rookie of the Year status in his first season, he became the first Mexican driver to win the championship in 2024.
Now a graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, Pérez de Lara is currently chasing Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in his full-time NCTS debut campaign. He is currently posted third in the rookie standings ahead of the regular season finale.
“Overall, I’m really excited about the upcoming races with Niece Motorsports,” said Pérez de Lara. “Making a change mid-season always has its challenges, but the team and I are working hard to be 100% by the time Richmond comes. I’m really focusing on having a good race there and feel very motivated with how the team has treated me. I feel the team is also motivated with having me there as well.”
Telcel, Claro, and Infinitum, who each have backed Pérez de Lara during his tenure at Spire Motorsports, will continue to serve as his primary partners as he now shifts over to the Niece organization.
“It feels like things are working well, and I’m ready to start a good foundation and build from there for the last eight races,” Pérez de Lara continued. “I want to go out there and show what we’ve got. I’m expecting some good results starting in Richmond, which is a track that I don’t know, but I’m putting a lot of emphasis in the pre-race work to go out there and start getting some good results with the team, which is what we’re all here for.”
Wally Rogers will continue to serve as crew chief for the Telcel team, with other noted competition changes occurring within the organization.
Landon Polinski, a veteran race engineer, has been promoted from within the company as the new crew chief for the No. 42 team. This change allows Mike Shiplett to oversee the return of the No. 41, part-time entry, which will also make its season debut in Richmond.
Previously announced drivers, Josh Bilicki, and Connor Jones, will continue to drive for the team in their select events.
“We are preparing for a bright future ahead of us at Niece Motorsports,” said Cody Efaw, CEO of the organization. “Adding Andrés to our talent arsenal is an enticing addition as we look to finish out the year strong. While it is difficult to hear of another team scaling back their program, we saw this as an opportunity for our team to grow our footprint in the Truck Series. We have more exciting news coming out in the near future, and I look forward to seeing our team unload four fast Chevrolet Silverados in Richmond.”
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will complete its regular season at Richmond Raceway on Friday, August 15. Live coverage of the race will air on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM at 7:30 PM Eastern.
— Niece Motorsports —
AND: Spire Motorsports is permitting Andres Perez de Lara to explore other opportunities for the final eight races of 2025 and beyond, following the August 8 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International. The Mooresville, N.C., team has yet to solidify its 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series plans.
“Andres has made meaningful progress this season, and we remain confident in his future,” said Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony. “While we haven’t finalized our 2026 plans for the No. 77 team, we wanted to give him the opportunity to look ahead and pursue other options for the remainder of this year and beyond. He’s a hard worker, carries himself with humility, and brings a consistently positive attitude to the garage. He comes from a great family, and we fully expect him to continue making strides as part of Chevrolet’s driver development program. We’re proud to have been part of his journey and will continue cheering him on.”
Perez de Lara has made 17 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts for Spire Motorsports in 2025, earning a pair of top 10s including a season-best seventh-place finish at Martinsville Speedway. The 2025 Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is currently 17th in points and third in the rookie standings.
Spire Motorsports, in consultation with NASCAR, will shift the owner’s points from the team’s No. 07 entry to the No. 77 team with veteran Corey LaJoie at the controls for the final eight races of the season, beginning at Richmond Raceway.
The team will compete as a three-truck operation for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, fielding the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in pursuit of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s and driver’s titles.
— Spire Motorsports —