The grandson of one of NASCAR’s all-time greats intends to make a name for himself next season in his inaugural full-time Truck Series season.
A new team, called Faction46, started to make the rounds this week and created even more headlines by announcing Thad Moffitt as its first full-time driver. Moffitt, 23, is the grandson of seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty and will drive No. 46 Chevrolet for the organization.
Faction46 is owned by Venture Foods founder and president Lane Moore and will have a technical alliance with Niece Motorsports, who most recently fielded the team Carson Hocevar drove to the Truck Series final four last month at Phoenix Raceway, with Doug George on the pit box.
Moffitt, has made four Truck Series starts and 45 more in the ARCA Racing Series, but indicates this will be his best opportunity to shine yet.
“This is the opportunity that I’ve been waiting for,” said Moffitt. “I’m thrilled that Lane has put his trust in me to begin this new venture with him in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Faction46. This past year I had a full season in the TransAm Series, but always wanted to have the opportunity to race full-time in NASCAR and begin in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. I’m pretty pumped up about this opportunity.”
For Lane Moore, who originates his business out of Oklahoma, the Truck Series program is a B2B element that will coincide with a retail program based primarily around NASCAR markets.
The team will also get assistance from Petty’s Garage, a car restoration company owned by Petty, which is based out of the old Petty Enterprises shop that ‘The King’ earned all 200 of his victories out of.
“I’ve enjoyed working and getting to know the Petty family and Thad,” said Moore. “It all accumulated to this day and the beginning of Faction46 and what I hope to be a long stay in NASCAR. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series offers some of the best, most exciting racing for both young and seasoned drivers. I’m proud to be part of the series with Thad as we earn the respect of the other teams. I have to thank Niece Motorsports for their assistance in helping us as we grow.”
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.