Angela Ruch makes surprise switch in NASCAR teams; Announces new tv show
Shane Walters
Ruch has signed with Niece Motorsports; New NASCAR tv show set for April
Angela Ruch has signed with Niece Motorsports. It came via a surprise announcement at Martinsville Speedway.
Angela Ruch is the daughter of Derrike Cope. She formerly went by the name Angela Cope.
Niece Motorsports fields two trucks in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Ruch will drive the #44 in 11-12 races beginning with Texas Motor Speedway.
“Early this year, we were working on some sponsorship and packages with drivers. We started talked to Angela really early this year. But, we weren’t able to put anything together until the last couple of weeks,” team owner Al Niece stated.
Angela Ruch on the new NASCAR Truck Series ride
Previously, Nemco Motorsports announced that Ruch would be in their truck for Texas. Chris Knight asked why that deal fell through or what happened?
“I can’t say anything but good things about Nemco. He’s taken great care of me. Unfortunately, things just didn’t work out,” Ruch explained.
“This opportunity kind of fell into my lap with Niece Motorsports. I couldn’t pass it up. But, I do know they are totally understanding. I’m excited and I think the whole Nemco team is excited for me as well.”
“The pressure is definitely there. There’s only a few of us women out there right now. So, we really gotta step up our game. I feel confident and we’ll see what Texas holds for us.”
Niece Motorsports is suddenly one of the better teams in the NASCAR Truck Series garage. They’re run 9 races so far in 2019 with three different drivers. Ross Chastain has collected two top fives for the team this year.
Of 85 career races, the team has two top fives. Each of them have come in 2019 with Ross Chastain.
The Ruch Life
Angela Ruch and her husband have been followed by cameras at every track this season. Now, we’re hearing a little bit on what that’s all about.
“My husband and I are filming. It’s basically a documentary on our life. We live this crazy life. The racing, traveling and the adoption,” Ruch continued.
“We adopted out little baby who was born two weeks ago today. It’s an exciting time for us.”
Ruch says she has a network signed for airing but she can’t release those details. She also stated that the show will likely air in April.
She’s run 14 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2011. That includes three races in 2018. This year, she’s returned to the truck series for the first time since her NGOTS debut in 2010.
Ruch has run two NASCAR Truck Series races so far in 2019. She opened the season with an 8th place run at Daytona International Speedway, a career best.