MHR & Eckes Reunite for Two NCTS Races in 2025
He’s back.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) announced today that Christian Eckes, the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) regular season titlist, will rejoin the organization for two races this season. Eckes will pilot the No. 16 Chevrolet Silverado RST, a fifth entry for MHR, at Richmond Raceway on August 15th and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20th.
Eckes will pilot the AAA Premium Battery Chevrolet at Richmond, Va. and the NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet at Loudon, N.H. in his return to NCTS competition. Darren Fraley will serve as the No. 16 team’s crew chief for both events.
Eckes, 24, currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing and will use the two off weekends from his “day job” to moonlight at MHR where he collected eight victories, 25 top-five’s, and 35 top-10 results over two seasons.
“Going back to run a couple of truck races with MHR is going to be a great time”, Eckes said. “Competing in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing this year has been an honor and we’re laser focused on getting into the playoffs. I feel like we have some unfinished business at Richmond with MHR since 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 on off weeks from the Xfinity schedule.”
MHR is reintroducing the stylized No. 16 that team owner Bill McAnally has made successful in the ARCA Menards Series West, contributing to the organization’s success including 11 series championships.
The August 15th event at Richmond Raceway will also mark the first time the No. 16 has been on track in the NCTS since the passing of championship-winning team owner Shige Hattori. MHR will run Hattori’s name on the truck as a memorial and recognition for his accomplishments in the series. From 2020-2021, MHR was housed at Hattori’s NCTS race shop in Mooresville, N.C. during the team’s first two full-time campaigns.
“We’re all looking forward to having Christian back in the truck and running the No. 16 again”, McAnally said. “We accomplished a lot together and it’ll be great to have him step in for a couple of races. He has a lot of knowledge and will certainly be a benefit to our programs as we get closer to the playoffs. Being able to include AAA and NAPA Nightvision in these programs is especially rewarding and want to also honor Shige Hattori and remember him by having the number 16 back on track.”
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Eckes’ return to NCTS action at Richmond can be seen on FOX Sports 1 on Friday, August 15th at 8:00 p.m. ET from Richmond, and on Saturday, September 20th at Noon E.T. from New Hampshire. To stay connected with MHR, follow @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmr_nascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.
