Niece Motorsports Reveals NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Competition Team Updates for 2025 Season
Accomplished Crew Chiefs to Lead NCTS Organization
Salisbury, NC (Feb. 12, 2025) – Leading into the start of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season, Niece Motorsports today announces its crew chief / driver pairings for 2025.
No. 42 Team (Full-Time)
Recently joining the organization in October, veteran crew chief, Mike Shiplett, will continue to call the shots for the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST.
Shiplett, a 24-time NXS winner, has claimed victories in all three NASCAR national series. Before his time at Niece Motorsports, Shiplett spent years working with several established teams such as Evernham Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Richard Childress Racing, among others.
During his tenure as a NXS crew chief, Shiplett's team qualified for the Playoffs on four occasions - including a runner-up finish with Ganassi in 2018. He also made the Cup Series Playoffs in 2020 while at Stewart-Haas.
Outside of racing, Shiplett enjoys exploring the ocean as a licensed scuba dive master. At 52, he resides in Salisbury, North Carolina, with his wife, Brooke.
No. 44 Team (Full-Time)
As one of the most experienced crew chiefs in the NCTS garage, Wally Rogers has spent over 30 years dedicating his life to the sport. Rogers will oversee the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST this year.
Originally from New Jersey, Rogers moved to North Carolina to begin his career as a mechanic at Andy Petree Racing in 1996. From there, he moved to Evans Motorsports before upstarting Kevin Harvick, Incorporated - the team where he earned his first two NCTS wins.
After leaving KHI, Rogers spent time at Evernham Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Levine-Family Racing, GoFAS Racing, Tri-Star Motorsports, All-Out Motorsports, and Jordan Anderson Racing, before joining Niece Motorsports in 2020.
An avid outdoorsman, Rogers enjoys hunting and camping on his weeks off. The 52-year-old lives in Lexington, North Carolina, with his girlfriend, Marlene. Rogers is a father of twin daughters, Cali (19), and Emma (19).
No. 45 Team (Full-Time)
Niece Motorsports' longest-tenured and winningest crew chief, Phil Gould, returns for his seventh season with the team. Remaining in place, Gould will lead the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST.
Gould, who has been associated with the organization since 2019, has won eight NCTS races on top of the pit box with Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar. His team has made the Playoffs for four seasons - including last year.
At the start of his career, Gould was a mechanic on Mike Stefanik's NXS team before moving to Evernham Motorsports. From there, he spent 12 seasons at Richard Childress Racing - starting as a mechanic and gradually becoming a crew chief, then four years at Roush-Fenway Racing - where he won his first NXS race as a crew chief and qualified for the Playoffs three years straight.
The 47-year-old, recently engaged to his fiancé, Nacole, lives in Salisbury, North Carolina. Gould is a father of two sons, Matt (19) who was recently signed to a part-time schedule, and Justin (18). Outside of NCTS racing, the family operates a Late Model Stock team which competes throughout the southeast.
Next week, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season begins at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14. Live coverage of the Fresh From Florida 250 will air on FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 7:30 PM ET.
Follow Niece Motorsports on Facebook, X, and Instagram and visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, Niece Motorsports enters its tenth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.
