Niece Motorsports immediately releases Kaden Honeycutt after he signs with rival team

In a surprising move, Niece Motorsports has released Kaden Honeycutt from the team, effective immediately. Honeycutt is sitting sixth in the NASCAR Truck Series championship standings, 73 points above the cut-line in the battle to make the playoffs.

Despite this, the team has chosen to part ways with him in the middle of the season, but why? According to Niece, it's because "Honeycutt has signed a contract to race with a different Truck Series organization and
OEM (manufacturer) in 2026 - making this change allows our team the opportunity to begin building for next year."

Zilisch to pull triple duty

As a result of this sudden development, rising star Connor Zilisch will drive the No. 45 truck at Watkins Glen this weekend. The 19-year-old will be pulling triple duty as he also runs the Xfinity race with JR Motorsports, and the Cup race with Trackhouse Racing. He also won the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen last year.

Starting at Richmond, Bayley Currey will pilot the No. 45 truck for the remainder of the season with Phil Gould remaining as the crew chief.

Honeycutt is likely going to be part of the playoffs, but now he has to scramble to find a new ride. It's understood that his deal for 2026 involves the TRICON Garage Toyota team, so it is possible they could arrange a ride for him in what would be his first time competing in the playoffs. Another Toyota team is also in need of a driver for the playoffs as Stewart Friesen recovers from serious injuries sustained in a dirt modified crash.

The 22-year-old has 50 starts in the Truck Series with four top fives and 19 top tens. He has been driving for Chevrolet since the middle of the 2023 season.

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