Get to Know Al Niece
In 2019, Al Niece enters his third full time season as teamowner of Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series(NGOTS).
Niece Motorsports ran just a handful of races in 2016. In 2017, the team ran the full NGOTS seasonwith TJ Bell as the primary driver.
Prior to the 2018 season, Niece Motorsports formed atechnical alliance with GMS Racing and moved shop locations to Statesville, NorthCarolina.
In 2018, Niece Motorsports fielded two full time entries inthe NGOTS with drivers Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine, driving the Nos.22 and 45 Chevrolet Silverados, respectively. In addition, the team fielded the No. 38 truck on a part time basis withdrivers Max McLaughlin, Ross Chastain, TJ Bell and Landon Huffman.
In addition to Niece Motorsports, Niece is also the founderand president of Niece Equipment in Buda Texas. Niece Equipment, which Niece founded in 1978, celebrated its 40thAnniversary in 2018. The companyprovides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durabilityin mind. Capability ranges from2,000-gallon water trucks to 12,000-gallon water towers. The fuel/lube trucks offered range from 600to 4,000 gallons.
Niece was born in 1945 in LaPorte, Indiana to mother andfather, Elbert and Delores. Niece is theoldest of three children.
In 1966, Niece graduated high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1967, Niece enlisted in the United StatesMarine Corps, serving for two years. During those two years, Niece deployed to Vietnam with the 3rdMarine Division, Lima Co. 3rd Marine Regiment. During his time in the Marine Corps, Nieceearned the rank of Sergeant.
In 1978, Niece opened Niece Equipment in a two-office suitein a business park in Austin, Texas. In1985, the company expanded to include a water truck manufacturing facility inPhoenix, Arizona.
In 1988, Niece Equipment expanded its manufacturingcapabilities again, to include fuel and lube trucks at its Austin, Texaslocation.
In 2012, Niece Equipment purchased Klein Manufacturing inFort Scott, Kansas. This expansionallowed Niece Equipment to produce specialized water equipment, fuel and lubetrucks, along with custom-fabricated machinery for the quarry and miningindustries.
Presently, Niece Equipment is comprised of three companies:Niece Equipment, Niemco and Niece Products of Kansas. Today, Niece Equipment has two manufacturingplants, one in Buda, Texas and another in Fort Scott, Kansas, withapproximately 120 employees.
The current location is the sixth since that humblebeginning. There were four locationsnorth of Austin, one out east near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, andnow south in Buda.
In his free time, Niece enjoys clearing his land, travelingto the race track with his wife Luanna and spending time with his son anddaughter, and six grandchildren.