January 2026 Edition | Volume 5

ICYMI: We are thrilled to welcome Parker Eatmon to the Niece Motorsports team! The 19-year-old driver will run a partial NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) schedule in 2026.

Eatmon, who hails from Wilson, North Carolina, primarily spent this past year competing full-time in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series. He also finished second overall in the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown.

Throughout the year, Eatmon will share the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST with previously announced drivers, Tyler Reif, Conner Jones, and others. He plans to compete in select NCTS events as well as several Late Model races.

You can read more here.

In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce fans to one of the key leaders of our competition team: crew chief Mike Shiplett.

Shiplett’s NASCAR career spans more than three decades. A native of Ohio, he began racing in late models before joining the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in its inaugural season in 1995.

Over the years, Shiplett has worked with some of the sport’s top organizations and drivers, earning wins across all three national series. Shiplett’s career highlights include his first Cup Series victory as a crew chief in 2020, 24 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series wins, and a Truck Series win in 2012. 

Shiplett resides in Salisbury, North Carolina with his wife, and enjoys exploring the ocean as a licensed scuba dive master.