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 both 2023 and 2024, but moved up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025 with Kaulig Racing. Eckes ended the year 13th in the championship standings with six top fives and 15 top tens, but next year will see him return to the Trucks where he is a proven winner.
Eckes has 116 career starts in Trucks with nine wins, and placed as high as third in the standings with MHR. He will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado for the team next year. He will be paired with crew chief Dave Elenz.
“I couldn’t be happier to be back at MHR,” said Eckes in a release from the team. “We had a lot of success in 2023-24, and we want to get back to that next year. Bill [McAnally] and I have always had a great relationship and we’re putting a lot of quality people and pieces together. We had two great years here, and I enjoyed the races I ran this past year. It’s great to stay in a Chevrolet and have their commitment to MHR. Also, the relationships with NAPA, their suppliers, and ownerships made a lot of sense to come back here and chase a championship together.”
Of Eckes' nine NCTS wins, eight of them came with MHR. “We’re excited to have Christian back,” team owner Bill McAnally said. “He certainly has his fingerprints on our program, and all of us were proud to see him in the Xfinity Series last year, but we have unfinished business. Between him and Dave [Elenz], we’re putting a great team together to chase that championship. I’m excited to see them work together and see the impact it makes throughout our company. It’s special to have partners like NAPA, Old World Industries, and NAPA Brakes Gold Calipers return to support this, and to grow our relationship with Columbia Bank."
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