Gates Hydraulics, a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, will embark on its 27th season as a partner of Bill McAnally and Bill McAnally Racing, the organization announced on Friday.
The company, which first partnered with McAnally in 1998, will serve as a five-race primary sponsor of Christian Eckes and the No. 19 Chevrolet Silverado, which competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
27 years and counting!@GatesNAmerica is back for the 27th-straight season with a fresh paint scheme on board @christianeckes' Chevrolet!
Full details ?? https://t.co/bNcKcxprR0#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ehuvQKs5lA
— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR) March 29, 2024
A newly-designed No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet Silverado will make its first on-track appearance at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12. The brand will also feature a soon-to-be-announced throwback paint scheme for NASCAR’s annual ‘Throwback Weekend” at Darlington on May 10.
Eckes will bring the black, white, and red branding back to the racetrack for an additional three races throughout the Summer and Fall, first at WWT Raceway on June 1, then at Kansas Speedway on September 27, and finally at Martinsville Speedway on November 1.
“Throughout its history, Gates has supported motorsports teams that drive and inspire innovation and excellence,” said Christian Karner, Gates Hydraulics’ Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience. “Our decades-long partnership with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has built a foundation of success through countless wins on and off the track that cement Gates’ leading reputation for performance in the most demanding conditions.”
Additionally, Gates Hydraulics will continue to be featured on the tail of Eckes’ No. 19 entry for all remaining races, and on the tail of Jack Wood’s No. 16 Chevrolet for all ARCA Menards Series West events.
The relationship between McAnally-Hilgemann Racing owner Bill McAnally, and Gates Hydraulics dates back to 1998 in the NASCAR Winston West Series, where Canadian-driver Gary Smith drove the No. 16 to victory lane at Portland Speedway in the first year of the partnership.
More than a quarter-century later, and Gates Hydraulics pulled into Victory Lane for the first time last season, when Eckes scored the victory at Darlington Raceway, a feat he’ll look to accomplish for a second straight season.
“Our relationship with Gates has been tremendous,” McAnally said. “People make partnerships special, and to have their continued support for 27 years has been incredible. Winning races on the track and the cross-promotion with Gates and NAPA and their ownership groups to drive sales off-track has been important for our program and we’re excited to continue that this season.”
In 2024, Eckes enters his second year with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, where he pilots the organization’s flagship No. 19 Chevrolet Silverado. So far this season, Eckes has scored a victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, on top of a season that has included four top-10s in five races.
