Acceptance Insurance Enters NASCAR, Backs Star Driver Pérez de Lara

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – January 27, 2026 – In a significant move signaling a new chapter for both brand and driver, Acceptance Insurance today announced its entry into NASCAR, forming a major partnership with Niece Motorsports. The company will serve as the anchor partner for rising star Andrés Pérez de Lara throughout the full 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season.

Pérez de Lara, the promising 20-year-old from Mexico City, will pilot the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado for his sophomore season, now carrying the colors of Acceptance Insurance as a primary sponsor in select races. The alliance brings together a major personal lines insurance provider with one of NASCAR’s most promising young talents and a well-established, competitive race team.

A Strategic Play in a High-Speed Market

For Acceptance Insurance, a subsidiary of the nation's largest personal lines agency Confie, this sponsorship marks a calculated expansion from the local community to the national stage. While insurance companies are no strangers to motorsports—with giants like GEICO having built decades-long marketing platforms around NASCAR—this move represents a strategic push to enhance brand visibility and connect with a famously loyal fanbase. With NCTS races drawing millions of television viewers, the potential for brand exposure is immense. Research has consistently shown that NASCAR fans demonstrate exceptionally high brand loyalty, with nearly three-quarters more likely to purchase products from a brand that sponsors the sport.

This partnership appears to be less a pivot and more an evolution of Acceptance's core mission. The company, which has over 50 years of experience providing coverage to a wide spectrum of drivers, sees a direct parallel between its customers and its new ambassador.

"This collaboration with Andrés and Niece Motorsports is an important opportunity for our brand," said Cesar Soriano, CEO of Acceptance/Confie. "Andrés embodies the drive, character, and resilience that reflect our customers and our values. We look forward to an exciting season ahead."

By aligning with a young, determined driver, the company aims to bridge the gap between insuring daily commutes and celebrating the pinnacle of automotive competition, reinforcing its message of supporting drivers at every level.

Fueling a Champion’s Ascent

The sponsorship places a significant vote of confidence in Andrés Pérez de Lara, a driver whose career has been on a steep upward trajectory. He enters his second full-time NCTS season fresh off a historic 2024 campaign where he became the first driver from Mexico to win the ARCA Menards Series championship. Despite not capturing a race win in that series, his consistency was remarkable, securing ten top-five and seventeen top-ten finishes. His resume also includes championships in the NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series and NASCAR Mexico Truck Series, underscoring his adaptability and raw talent.

This new backing provides the stability and resources necessary for a young driver to compete at a high level in one of NASCAR’s toughest divisions. For Pérez de Lara, the partnership is a validation of his hard work and a chance to represent a brand whose values resonate with his own journey.

"I'm incredibly excited to partner with Acceptance Insurance for this next step in my career," said Pérez de Lara. "It means a lot to represent a company that supports drivers at every level, and I'm grateful to Acceptance and Niece Motorsports for the confidence they've placed in me."

The Niece Motorsports Development Pipeline

Acceptance Insurance's investment is anchored by one of the most respected teams in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series paddock. Niece Motorsports, founded by U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece, has established a firm reputation not only for winning races but also for cultivating young talent. The team has made five playoff appearances and boasts a history of providing a crucial platform for drivers to advance their careers.

Notable alumni who have raced for the team include current NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar, who successfully climbed the ladder from the Truck Series. This track record makes Niece Motorsports an ideal environment for a driver like Pérez de Lara to continue his development. The team’s ability to pair emerging talent with veteran leadership is a cornerstone of its success.

"We're thrilled to have Acceptance Insurance join our program," said Cody Efaw, CEO of Niece Motorsports. "Andrés has tremendous potential, and strong partners like Acceptance only strengthen what we aim to accomplish on track this year." Further bolstering the program's stability, veteran crew chief Wally Rogers will return to call the shots atop the pit box for the No. 44 team, ensuring crucial continuity for the young driver.

As the 2026 season approaches, this new alliance sets the stage for a compelling storyline. It combines a sponsor making a bold strategic move, a driver with championship pedigree and immense potential, and a team with a proven formula for success. All eyes will be on the No. 44 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet when the season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 13, where the partnership will face its first test on the high banks of the iconic racetrack.