NASCAR: Austin Wayne Self to race Trucks full-time in 2018
By Alex Herbst
Austin Wayne Self will be back to full-time racing in 2018, racing with Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
While the top six drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series continue to battle for the championship, the trucks in the midfield are still fighting too. Battling for wins, top fives, and top tens, among these teams you can find Niece Motorsports. The team, owned by Al Niece, is in the news today, confirming their driver lineup for the 2018 season.
For the first time in team history, Niece Motorsports will field a driver for the full Truck Series championship in 2018. Austin Wayne Self, who raced in a handful of races in 2017 with the team, will run full-time. It will be his second full season and third overall in the Camping World Truck Series, last running full-time with AM Racing in 2016.
Austin Wayne Self had this to say about his new full-time ride for the 2018 season:
"“I am very humbled and thankful for this opportunity to drive for Niece Motorsports for 2018. I’ve been fortunate to run several races for the organization this season and I’m fired up to think what we accomplish in 23 races next season.”"
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It is expected that the team will maintain their truck number as the #45. However, the partnering manufacturer and sponsors remain to be determined. Niece Motorsports has fielded both Chevrolets and Toyotas over the course of 2017, though Self usually piloted Tundras with the team. Other drivers that have graced the #45 truck this year include Travis Pastrana, T.J. Bell, and Jeffrey Abbey.
Perhaps a full-time driver in the #45 truck can help push this team from a Top 20 organization into the top ten. With Brad Keselowski Racing exiting the series at the end of the year, there will be opportunities for teams in the midpack like Niece to accelerate forward and become contenders. However, many pieces remain to be determined, and these will go a long way in figuring out the trajectory of this relatively young team.
Self, like his new team, will look to improve in 2018 as well. He has earned three top fives so far in his career, with a best finish of second coming in the first race of this season at Daytona with AM Win-Tron Racing. His other top ten finishes came at Eldora Speedway in 2016 and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park earlier this season. Becoming a regular contender for top ten finishes would be a great step forward for the young driver.
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What do you think of the move for Niece Motorsports to hire Austin Wayne Self full-time? Will the team improve their fortunes in the 2018 season, or will they remain trapped in the midfield?