Donovan Strauss, a 20-year-old zMAX CARS Tour Series regular, will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in the upcoming event at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, July 18.
Strauss, a native of Mooesville, NC, will pilot the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports in his debut event in the NASCAR National Series ranks. Strauss will have the benefit of veteran NASCAR crew chief Mike Shiplett atop the pit box for his first career start, and the driver is elated at the opportunity ahead of him.
“I’m super thankful to get my shot with Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series,” said Strauss in a team press release. “This is an opportunity I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid, and I know I’m going to prepare to my absolute best to maximize it. I don’t take any of this for granted, and can’t thank Josh Morris, Greg Fowler, DQS Solutions & Staffing, J.F. Electric, and Cody Efaw enough for giving me the tools I need to be successful, along with all the great men and women who are a part of the team. I’m going to work as hard as I can to be prepared and ready to go.”
The Niece Motorsports team is happy to serve as a vessel for Strauss to chase his dreams of someday becoming a full-time NASCAR National Series driver.
“I have enjoyed getting to know Donovan over the past few months,” said Cody Efaw, Niece Motorsports President & CEO. “He has been around our shop lending us a hand and getting to know everyone here at Niece Motorsports. Donavan has a great attitude and is committed to chasing his dreams from behind the steering wheel of race cars and trucks. We are looking forward to helping him along his path of finding success in motorsports.”
Strauss finished ninth in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock championship standings a season ago, a year where he scored five top-10 finishes in 15 starts.
