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August 03, 2026 3 min read
Race day is measured in laps, but the work that creates those laps begins long before the green flag ever waves.
During our visit to Lime Rock Park, we spent time inside the Niece Motorsports hauler and sat down with Landen Lewis, driver of the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. What started as a conversation about racing quickly became a discussion about preparation, accountability, mentorship, and what it really takes to compete at one of NASCAR's highest levels.
Fans see the race. They see the passes, the restarts, the pit stops, and the checkered flag.
What they rarely see is everything that happens before the truck ever leaves the trailer.
Walking through the Niece Motorsports garage, it became obvious that success is built long before race day. Crew members were preparing equipment, reviewing data, unloading the transporter, and making sure every detail was ready before the truck ever touched the track.
That preparation became one of the biggest themes of our conversation with Landen.
One of the most interesting parts of the interview centered around the people helping shape Landen's career.
He spoke about the influence of Ron Hornaday Jr., a four-time NASCAR Truck Series champion, and Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
These aren't casual conversations. If Landen makes a mistake on the racetrack, he knows he'll hear about it. Ron Hornaday will tell him exactly what happened, and Kevin Harvick won't hesitate to pick up the phone.
That level of accountability is something many young drivers never experience. It's also one of the reasons mentorship matters so much in professional racing. Lessons from accomplished champions can't be learned from a simulator or a data sheet alone.
Some of the most valuable advice Landen has received isn't about driving technique.
Kevin Harvick has encouraged him to maintain perspective away from the racetrack and understand that longevity comes from balancing competition with life outside the sport.
Professional racing demands incredible focus, but knowing when to step away and return refreshed is just as important as finding speed.
One of our favorite moments came when Landen talked about asking Kevin Harvick if that competitive edge ever disappears with age.
The answer was simple.
It doesn't.
Whether you're a race car driver or someone who has spent a lifetime mastering a craft, that competitive drive becomes part of who you are.
Spending time with Niece Motorsports reinforced something we've always believed: winning starts long before the green flag.
Every crew member has a responsibility. Every adjustment matters. Every detail contributes to the final result.
From unloading the transporter to final setup, nothing is left to chance. Television shows the race. It rarely shows the craftsmanship and teamwork that make it possible.
Not every moment in our interview was serious.
We wrapped things up with one fun question:
"If you could own any car?"
Without hesitation, Landen answered:
Corvette Z06.
It's a reminder that, despite competing professionally, he's still a genuine car enthusiast.
At Vtwins to V8s, we believe the people behind the machines are every bit as interesting as the competition itself.
The race may last only a couple of hours. The preparation, relationships, craftsmanship, and lessons behind it last much longer.
That's why we wanted to share this conversation.
It's more than an interview with a NASCAR Truck Series driver. It's a look inside the people, teamwork, and dedication that make professional racing possible.
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