May 26, 2020 | By Lee Spencer

Clauson-Marshall Racing joins forces with Niece Motorsports to run Sunshine at Eldora

CONCORD, N.C.-- There will be a little more Sunshine at Eldora Speedway when the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series returns to the iconic dirt track. 

Clauson Marshall Racing will partner with Niece Motorsports to field a truck for USAC National Sprint Car and Midget Champion Tyler Courtney in the Eldora Dirt Derby, currently scheduled for July 30.

Courtney, 26, drives the No. 7BC Clauson Marshall midget on the USAC National tour.

“I’m very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Courtney said. “I want to thank everyone from Clauson Marshall Racing and Niece Motorsports for making this possible. Eldora is one of my favorite racetracks, and I’ve been lucky enough to have some success there in open wheel cars. 

“I’m a little nervous but up for the challenge of racing a truck around Eldora Speedway, and hopefully, making the dirt world and my fans proud.”
 
Courtney, the defending USAC Midget champion, currently leads the point standings. Since 2017, he has accumulated more than 40 feature wins and two national titles. Last September, Courtney scored a record fourth-straight Sprint Car win at Eldora.

On Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Director Brad Moran told RacinBoys.com that, given Courtney’s experience on dirt, he shouldn’t have any issue being approved for the event. Moran was already approached by truck owner Al Niece. For the last five seasons, the United States Marine Corps Veteran has built a solid foundation within the truck series. Last season, Ross Chastain won three of 23 races behind the wheel of the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado and advanced to the Championship 4 round at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Niece Motorsports is fielding trucks this week at Charlotte for Ross Chastain, Garrett Smithley, Natalie Decker and Ty Majeski. 
 
“We are excited to have Tyler join the team at Eldora,” Niece said. “He has quite a resume in dirt racing, and certainly a lot of success at Eldora.  

“Obviously, these trucks are a little different animal, but we are confident that Tyler’s skill set will translate well. I’m excited to see him contend for a win. We’re all eager to get back to racing and hope that all of our fans are healthy and well.”

Last season, Clauson Marshall ventured into the IndyCar Series with Pippa Mann behind the wheel of the No. 39 Dallara Chevrolet. She qualified 30th and brought the car home in 16th. The NASCAR venture is the next chapter for the Tim Clauson and Richard Marshall partnership.

“We are very honored to be able to take our company and our brand to new and exciting venues in the motorsports world,” Clauson said. “Our 2020 goal was to be at all of the big dirt events with Clauson Marshall Racing no matter the series, the venue, or the vehicle. We are really excited to enter into this partnership with Niece Motorsports for the 2020 Eldora Dirt Derby. 

“Even more exciting is we get to do it with one of our own, Tyler Courtney. We are extremely humbled to be able to provide one of our drivers with an opportunity to show their ability and talent both on and off the track on a big stage. Tyler’s performance over the last 3 years with Clauson Marshall Racing made him the obvious choice to enter into this venture with. Honestly, with his win total, two USAC National Championships and his penchant for winning at Eldora, I am surprised he hasn't gotten a call before now.” 
 
Clauson’s son, Bryan, ran a limited schedule in NASCAR Xfinity Series before he was tragically killed driving a midget in the 2016 Belleville (Neb.) Nationals. The younger Clauson was a three-time USAC National Midget Champion and two-time USAC National Sprint Car Champion.

Clauson Marshall Racing continues to provide young drivers the opportunities to achieve their dreams. Courtney is just one of the latest racers to thrive under the CMR banner.

“The truck race at Eldora has become the ultimate meeting of NASCAR and grassroots racing,” Marshall said. “The exposure and excitement around the event makes this the perfect new challenge for our company and prime exposure for our sponsors. 

“We are excited to give Sunshine this opportunity and do it with a quality organization like Niece Motorsports.  Most of all, we are ready to get back racing.”