Justin Fontaine to run Trucks full-time with Niece Motorsports in 2018

Fontaine will compete full-time in the series next season in Niece’s No. 45 Chevrolet and battle for rookie of the year honors.

“This is an exciting time in my career and I believe I’m ready for this next challenge with Niece Motorsports,” Fontaine, a native of Asheville, N.C., said in a statement.

“I know I have a lot to learn, but with the leadership of Niece Motorsports and the support of my management team at AM Racing, I believe I can transition well and produce some good results in my rookie season.”

In addition, Niece Motorsports announced on Wednesday it will form a technical alliance with GMS Racing for the 2018 season. In addition to the technical alliance, Niece Motorsports will move shop locations from China Grove, N.C., to Statesville, N.C., to be closer to GMS.

The partnership will see GMS provide Niece Motorsports with chassis, body, suspension and engineering support.

“I’m really proud of how far this team has come in the last year,” said team owner Al Niece. “I’m proud of this team’s growth and everything we’ve accomplished this year. I’m thrilled to begin working with GMS this offseason and into next year.

“This really gives us the chance to improve our program, by aligning with a team that has a proven track record. It’s going to be our job next year to go out there and perform at a high level.” 

GMS Racing won the Truck Series championship in 2016 with driver Johnny Sauter and Sauter again advanced to the Championship 4 this season.

Fontaine, 20, made his Truck debut in the fall of Oct. 2016 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. He also ran a partial ARCA schedule in 2017 for AM Racing’s development partner, Win-Tron Racing.