Christian Eckes, 25, will compete full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026, reuniting with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) after a year apart.
Eckes drove for McAnally-Hilgemann in 2023 and 2024, but moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025 with Kaulig Racing. Eckes finished the year 13th in the championship standings with six top fives and 15 top tens, but next year will see him return to trucks where he is a proven winner.
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Eckes has 116 career Truck starts with nine wins and placed third in the standings with MHR. He will drive the team’s No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado next year. He will be partnered with crew chief Dave Elenz.
“I couldn’t be happier to be back at MHR,” Eckes said in a team release. “We had a lot of success in 2023-2024 and we want to get back to it next year. Bill (McAnally) and I have always had a great relationship and we put together a lot of quality people and parts. We had two great years here and I enjoyed the races I ran last year. It’s great to stay in a Chevrolet and have their commitment to MHR. Plus, the relationships with NAPA, their suppliers and their owners were very logical to come back here and pursue a championship together.
Of Eckes’ nine NCTS wins, eight of them came with MHR. “We are excited to have Christian back,” said team owner Bill McAnally. “He certainly has his fingerprints on our program, and we were all proud to see him in the Xfinity Series last year, but we have some work to finish. Between him and Dave (Elenz), we are a great team to pursue this championship. I’m excited to see them work together and see the impact it has throughout our company. It’s special to have partners like NAPA, Old World Industries and NAPA Brakes Gold Calipers returning to support this and grow our relationship with Columbia Bank.”
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