Christian Eckes is set to reunite with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) for a two-race slate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, the organization confirmed on Tuesday.
Eckes, who graduated to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season with Kaulig Racing, will be utilizing two of his off weekends to get back behind the wheel of the No. 16 Chevrolet Silverado RST, a fifth entry for the race-winning organization.
Look who’s back!@christianeckes will run two @NASCAR_Trucks races in the No. 16 Chevrolet starting at @RichmondRaceway!
Full details ?? https://t.co/bmqYCXj7Lb#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/0CiTnyRDFJ
— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR) July 22, 2025
“Going back to run a couple of truck races with [McAnally-Hilgemann Racing] is going to be a great time,” said Eckes. “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. These should be two great opportunities to compete for wins and stay sharp on off weeks from the Xfinity schedule.”
The Middletown, New York-native will pilot the AAA Premium Battery-sponsored Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway on August 15, before returning to the driver’s seat in the NAPA Nightvision-sponsored No. 16 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20.
Darren Fraley will serve as the shot-caller for the No. 16 Chevrolet Silverado RST in both events.
In these two events, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing will also be reintroducing the stylized No. 16 that Bill McAnally, team co-owner, has made incredibly successful in the ARCA Menards Series West, contributing to the team’s 11 series championships.
The August 15 event at Richmond Raceway will also mark the first time that the No. 16 has been on track in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event since the passing of championship-winning team owner Shige Hattori.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing will be honoring Hattori by running his name on the No. 16 Chevrolet Silverado, as a memorial and recognition for his accomplishments as an owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
During the organization’s first two full-time seasons in 2020 and 2021, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing was housed in the Mooresville, North Carolina-based shop of Hattori Racing Enterprises.
“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.”
Eckes will return to NASCAR Truck Series action on August 15 at Richmond Raceway. Coverage of the event will be at 8:00 pm ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
