After a successful campaign this past season, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and Tyler Ankrum are set to continue working together for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign, the team announced on Thursday.
Ankrum, who advanced to the Championship 4 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs this season, will be returning to the driver’s seat of the No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado RST for a third consecutive campaign.
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA!) will continue to serve as the anchor partner for Ankrum and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2026, adorning the vehicle for 23 of the series’ 25 events in 2026.
“I am super pumped to return to MHR, especially after the 2025 season we just said,” said Ankrum. “This No. 18 team has come such a long way, and to have the opportunity to make it to the Final Four and run for a truck series championship title was just a dream come true, and I am ready to do it again.”
The San Bernardino, California-native had one of the strongest seasons of his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career in 2025, with a career-high eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, as well as a 10.8 average finish. More notably, though, the 24-year-old driver broke a six-year winless streak in the NASCAR Truck Series with a breakthrough victory at Rockingham Speedway.
“LiUNA! has been such a big part of my racing career, and I would not have made it this far without the support our Union has provided me,” Ankrum added. “I admire LiUNA’s goals and vision as a Union, and we have really proven this to be such a great partnership. I am very excited to have LiUNA on board again for another run, and I hope we can achieve even more milestones together in 2026.”
The 2026 season will mark the eighth full-time campaign for Ankrum in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making him one of the longest-standing veterans in the series. Ankrum, in 161 career starts, has two wins, 24 top-fives, and 65 top-10s.
“We’re thrilled to be riding with Tyler Ankrum for the 2026 season once again,” said Brent Booker, General President of LiUNA!. “Tyler exemplifies everything LiUNA! members bring to the job every day — strength, hard work, solidarity, and passion. His determination and success on the track reflect the same drive and commitment that LiUNA! members show in building stronger communities across North America. We’re proud to continue this partnership and look forward to another great year together.”
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing will be making additional confirmations regarding the personnel lineup on the No. 18, the sponsor that will fill the two-race gap, as well as the remainder of the team’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series lineup, at a later date.
