Event: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race (134 laps / 201 miles)
Round: 25 of 25 (Season Finale)
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Location: Homestead, FL
Date & Time: Friday, November 6 | 7:30 PM ET
No. 44 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Start: 22nd | Stage 1: 18th | Stage 2: 15th
Finish: 33rd | Driver Points: 16th | Owner Points: 22nd
- Key Takeaway: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Freeway Insurance team were sidelined through no fault of their own in the season finale at Homestead-Miami. Pérez de Lara started the race in 22nd, but moved forward in every run. The team was poised for a solid result but became victims of circumstance after hitting oil when another truck lost its engine late in the event. After making repairs, Pérez de Lara was in the process of working his way back through the field when a multi-truck crash unfolded directly in front of him on lap 115. Unfortunately, he was unable to avoid the spinning trucks and received heavy damage. The No. 44 was forced out of the race, crediting Pérez de Lara with a 33rd-place finish.
- Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Post-Race Thoughts:
Interviewer: Andrés Pérez, it looked like you had a decent night going. What happened there in that incident at the end?
“Yeah, I think it was just a decent night. We had decent speed, but were definitely just needing a little bit more. When the No. 77 (Nick Sanchez) leaked oil on the racetrack, I hit the wall after running through it. We restarted in the back after making repairs, then just ran into the other big incident with the No. 15 (Tanner Gray) and the No. 45 (Landen Lewis). I had nothing to do with it; they just came up the track. We had just a little bit too much damage to continue, so I hated to end the season like that, but that’s how the night went.”
Interviewer: How do you feel about your season overall?
“Well, I think this year’s story is the same as this race. I feel like we have had some really good pace throughout the year, but probably didn’t finish most of the races where we deserved. Just very bad luck. We just had really bad breaks, and that’s how I feel, right? I feel like there was a lot of potential, but I just wish we could have explored it a little bit more. I’m just really thankful for all of the work my guys did, Niece Motorsports, Freeway Insurance, Acceptance Insurance, Telcel, just a lot of people to thank. I’ll take all the learnings and move on for next year.”
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team that has competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2016. The team is owned by Josh Morris of DQS Solutions and Staffing and the Fowler Family of J.F. Electric and Utilitra, and was founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a full-service race vehicle build shop 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 Freeway Insurance: Built for drivers who like to do things their way, Freeway Insurance makes it easy to compare options, choose coverage that fits your ride and your budget, and save. With a simple click, call, or come in approach, we help drivers stay in control and keep moving forward. From auto and truck to motorcycle, homeowners, renters, and more, Freeway offers coverage designed for every journey. Compare. Choose. Save Freeway, Your Way.
