Wright Aims to Carry Road Course Progress Back to the Ovals
| Race Information Venue: North Wilkesboro Speedway Event: Faith Fest 250 Date: Friday, May 22 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Track Description: 0.625-mile quad oval Distance: 250 laps, 156.25 miles (12:30 p.m. ET, FS1, SiriusXM) |
| Wilkesboro Warmup… Kris Wright and the No. 81 F.N.B. Corporation team head to North Wilkesboro, North Carolina for race 15 of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season. Located just 27 miles north of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR), North Wilkesboro Speedway (NWB) serves as the organization’s home track. The 0.625-mile oval appeared on the NCTS schedule in 1995 and 1996 before returning in 2023. Following a repave ahead of the 2024 event, all four current MHR drivers have made at least one start at NWB as the organization aims to capitalize on their short-track speed and capture the organization’s first victory of the season. Statistical Breakdown… The Pittsburgh, Pa. native enters NWB with one previous NCTS start. Wright battled on the track’s original pavement to finish 22nd in his series debut at North Wilkesboro in 2023. In 12 ARCA Menards Series (AMS) short-track starts, Wright has collected three top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Two comparable AMS venues include Salem Speedway and Toledo Speedway, where Wright finished 10th and third, respectively, in 2024. As an organization, MHR has made 10 starts at NWB, earning three top-10 finishes in 2024 and two top-five finishes in 2025. Since the repave, each of Wright’s teammates has recorded at least one finish of sixth or better at the track. Season to Date… Saturday’s early afternoon contest begins a five-race stretch featuring heavy-braking, short-track style venues before the NCTS Chase opens up at Bristol Motor Speedway in September. Wright enters the weekend 21st in the championship standings, holding an 18-point advantage over 22nd. After putting together his best two race stretch of the season at Naval Base Coronado and Lime Rock Park, the No. 81 F.N.B. Corporation team will look to carry that progress into the upcoming run of short track style venues as Wright works toward breaking into the top 20 in the points standings. Tune In… Coverage from North Wilkesboro begins Friday with practice on FOX Sports 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 3:05 p.m. ET. Live coverage of the Faith Fest 250 will air on Fox Sports 1 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Stay connected with the No. 81 F.N.B. Corporation team by following @BMR_NASCAR on X, @bmr_nascar on Instagram and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook. Kris Wright Quote: “North Wilkesboro is always such a fun weekend. The history behind the track and its unique style of racing always make it a great experience. I feel like we’ve had good speed with our short-track program, and that should keep us in contention for a great result. We just have to execute, stay out of trouble and put ourselves in position at the end. I’m excited to strap back into our F.N.B. Corporation machine Saturday afternoon.” |