Tristan McKee, the first development driver for NASCAR Cup Series organization Spire Motorsports, is set to debut in the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen International, the team announced Thursday.
Less than one week after turning 15 years old (the minimum age requirement to run in the ARCA Menards Series), McKee will get behind the wheel of the No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet SS at the New York-based road course.
McKee will then return to the seat of the Gainbridge-sponsored Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series West season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November.
“Tristan McKee is one of those rare young drivers who makes you lean in and pay attention,” said Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony. “He’s shown talent, maturity, and the kind of work ethic that earns respect across our organization. We’re excited to get him some seat time in the ARCA Menards Series and let him grow at the right pace. Watkins Glen and Phoenix will be great tests, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in Spire colors.”
At just 14 years old, McKee is currently competing on a full-time basis in the TransAm TA2 Series, where he leads the standings by an impressive 82-point margin on the strength of two wins and six podium finishes.
“I’m super excited for my debut to be on a road course,” said McKee. “I’ve been doing a lot of road course stuff through the Trans Am Series. We were just at Watkins Glen a couple weeks ago with the series and got the win, so I feel comfortable with the track. I had the opportunity to do some testing in the ARCA car, so it helped get me up to speed with the car, but I still have a lot of preparation to do over the next couple weeks in the simulator and my pre-race routine. I’m super thankful to Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge for making this happen, and I’m really excited to get on track.”
The Williamsburg, Virginia-native is a four-time race-winner in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division, and in eight starts on the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car division has four top-fives and four top-10s.
“The season has definitely gone really, really good so far,” added McKee. “We have a couple Trans Am wins, lead the points, and have a podium in each of the last six races. We haven’t been at all the CARS Tour races, but we have put together a lot of good runs. It has been one of the best years of my career, so far. It is all preparing me to drive different cars because I am doing something nearly every weekend. This is just another discipline for me to learn, grow and become the driver I want to be. I think we will be really strong.”
Spire Motorsports has fielded an ARCA Menards Series entry on three occasions this season with Hendrick Motorsports development driver Corey Day, at Daytona, Phoenix, and California.
The General Tire 100 at Watkins Glen International will take place on Friday, August 8, at 2:00 pm ET on FS2. Radio coverage of the event will be on Motor Racing Network.
