TALLADEGA, Ala. – Short track standout Landon Huffman will run a third truck for Niece Motorsports in two weeks at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.
Huffman will drive the No. 38 Plan B Sales Chevrolet Silverado in the Oct. 27 running of the Texas Roadhouse 200. He will be a teammate to Niece Motorsports’ mainstay drivers Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine.
The third-generation racer and son of former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Robert Huffman will return to Martinsville later this month hoping to improve on his 17th place result last fall in a truck fielded by Copp Motorsports.
Huffman made his Truck Series debut at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway driving for MB Motorsports.
“I’m very excited about going to Martinsville with Niece Motorsports in a couple weeks,” Huffman told CATCHFENCE.com. “This is a huge opportunity to go back to Martinsville and have an opportunity to contend for a top-10 finish.
“Niece Motorsports has worked hard to become a player in the Truck Series and I’m looking forward to being a part of that very soon.”
Huffman, the 2015 Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Paramount Kia Challenge champion says he ran better at Martinsville last year than the result showed.
“Last year I drove for Mittler Brothers in a collaborative effort with Copp Motorsports. I felt like we ran well for what we were had to work with,” he said. “Actually, we restarted in the top-12 on the final restart but got run over several times and ended up 17th.
“It was such an awesome experience for me both at Bristol and Martinsville. I learned so much in such a short period of time between my two starts. Coleman Pressley did such an excellent job on the spotters stand and I’m excited to have him back again too.”
With limited opportunities to race this year, due to funding, Huffman said it’s important for him to treat his third career Truck Series start as his last – knowing that Niece Motorsports is bringing him a competitive truck and he’s unsure of what his future holds.
“Honestly, I have high expectations going into Martinsville,” he said. “Cody Efaw (general manager and crew chief) and the guys at Niece have prepared a really nice No. 38 Plan B Sales Chevrolet and I’m confident in our ability to show up and perform.
“With a Martinsville race under my belt, I think we can realistically go fight for a top-five, and if we take care of our equipment during the race, you never know how those races will end up. We could have a real shot at the end.”
Huffman, a native of Claremont, N.C. added, “This year has been a true test of my patience as I have raced less in 2018 than I have in my entire career.
“This opportunity couldn’t come at a better time for me and I am thrilled to extend my relationship with Plan B Sales. I am extremely thankful for the chance to drive for Team Dillon and begin a new relationship with Al Niece and Niece Motorsports. This is where I need to be moving forward and I’m excited to get to Martinsville and show what we can do.”
Niece Motorsports has run a third truck on occasion this season with drivers Max McLaughlin, Ross Chastain and TJ Bell behind the wheel. Chastain qualified 10th at Bristol before finishing 12th in the team’s best outing to date with the No. 38 Chevrolet truck.
“Martinsville is definitely a tough track, but I think it’s something that Landon’s background will play well into,” said Efaw. “He’s done some short track racing in these trucks before, which will also help. We’ve been working hard to put together a strong piece for Landon and the 38 team. If we can keep our nose clean, I definitely think Landon can show what he’s capable of.”
Following Martinsville, Chastain will return to the No. 38 ride at Texas Motor Speedway.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
