December 3, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits Gateway Nationals Super Late Model winner

Cody Efaw doesn't possess a magic wand. 

What the general manager of Niece Motorsports has, however, is the opportunity to make an aspiring dirt racer’s dreams come true with the “Win & You’re In” program.

In addition to the $30,000 prize awarded to this weekend’s winner of the Gateway Dirt Nationals Super Late Model feature, the driver will receive a chance to pilot the Niece Chevrolet Silverado in the Camping World Truck Series at Knoxville Raceway on June 18.

“So many of us at this organization cut our teeth in racing at dirt tracks,” Efaw said. “I truly believe that these drivers are some of the most talented in the country, so we’re excited to give someone another platform to showcase their abilities.”

Efaw’s love for dirt racing derived from working on his father’s late model team in Ohio. In 2005, he moved to North Carolina. By the end of the year, Efaw was working for Roush Racing. After a decade with one of NASCAR'S top teams, he decided it was time for a change. 

That’s when Efaw met Al Niece. The 71-year-old former racer, who served in the Marine Corps before building a successful construction-support business, wanted to field a truck team.

“We started with nothing,” Efaw said. “I met Al in 2016. He had a 24-foot trailer with a wood floor, he was 71 years old and he wanted to go racing. I had worked at Roush Racing for 11 years. I thought he was nuts. But he’s a man of his word. He has done everything he said he would. 

“We have grown. We now have 41 employees. We’re running four trucks next year. And he’s stayed loyal to me. He’s stepped up. It’s really been fun.” 

This year, 16 different competitors drove for Niece Motorsports, with Carson Hocevar and Ryan Truex running the full schedule. Hocevar, 18, returns to Niece for 2022 after finishing 10th in the truck standings as a rookie.

While stock car racing pays the bills, Efaw’s passion has always been dirt. The 36-year-old shares a giving-back philosophy, as well as a love of dirt racing, with Niece. Dirt was also a common bond between Efaw and Gateway Dirt Nationals promoter Cody Sommer. When Sommer came south to pursue a career in NASCAR, he slept on Efaw’s couch. 

Together, they developed the guidelines for “Win & You’re In.”

“When we sat down and put this together, it really got me excited to think about it,” said Sommer.  “Imagine if (2019 Gateway champion) Tyler Carpenter would have won this in 2019; this opportunity for that grassroots-level racer is truly once in a lifetime, and it just feels great to be a part of something like this for this year’s event.”

After three years of laying the groundwork for the “Win & You’re In” program to benefit grassroots racers, Efaw is thrilled to see the plan finally come to fruition.

“I really want to reward a driver with a truck opportunity,” Efaw said. “We’re grateful to have partners to help make this happen. There is no underlying agenda here. Sure, we’re hoping for a positive reaction, but it’s really just about giving someone an opportunity they might never get.”