Christian Eckes set for return to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

STATESVILLE, N.C. — The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is on alert — Christian Eckes is ready for a return to the series with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.

Eckes, the 2024 regular season champion, will rejoin the organization for two races in 2025. He will drive the No. 16 Chevrolet Silverado RST at Richmond Raceway on August 15th and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20th. Darren Fraley will serve as the No. 16 team’s crew chief for both events.

Eckes is racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing. He will use his two off weekends to “moonlight” at MHR where he collected eight victories, 25 top-five finishes, and 35 top-10s over two seasons.

“Going back to run a couple of truck races with MHR is going to be a great time. Competing in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing this year has been an honor and we’re laser focused on getting into the playoffs,” Eckes said.

Eckes has had shown glimpses of success, scoring three top-five finishes and eight top-10s on the season. However, six finishes of 29th or worse, including five DNFs, have put him 71 points below the cutline.

Going back to Trucks, where Eckes had success before, is a boost.

“I feel like we have some unfinished business at Richmond with MHR. We were right on the cusp of winning there last year and across the board at the flat tracks. Those should be two great opportunities to compete for wins and stay sharp,” Eckes said.

Eckes’ return gives MHR a chance to reintroduce the No. 16. Team owner Bill McAnally saw success with it in 11 championship seasons in the ARCA Menards Series West.

“We’re all looking forward to having Christian back in the truck and running the No. 16 again”, McAnally said. “He has a lot of knowledge and will certainly be a benefit to our programs as we get closer to the playoffs… [We] want to also honor Shige Hattori and remember him by having the number 16 back on track.”

Team owner Shige Hattori used the No. 16 when he and driver Brett Moffitt won the championship in 2018. MHR also ran their first two Truck seasons out of Hattori’s shop. In honor of Hattori, who died unexpectedly this year, MHR will have Hattori’s name on Eckes’ No. 16 NAPA truck.

The Richmond race is Friday, Aug. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, while the New Hampshire race is Saturday, Sept. 20th at 12 p.m. ET. Both races will air on Fox Sports 1 and the NASCAR Racing Network.