The expansion continues for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, as the organization will field a part-time third truck — No. 35 — for 17-year old Jake Garcia.
Garcia, a native of Monroe, Georgia, is ready to forge the next step in his racing career with MHR and Chevrolet.
“I’m excited to work with MHR and Chevrolet in this next step in my racing career,” Garcia said. “I’m looking forward to learning a lot from this opportunity and I look for us to have some good finishes in these races with MHR.”
According to a team release, Garcia will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut for the team at Martinsville Speedway on April 7. Following his debut at the half-mile paperclip, Garcia will compete in events at Gateway, Lucas Oil Raceway, Richmond, and Bristol.
For team co-owner Bill McAnally, the proof was in the pudding when it came to Garcia. “We’ve seen Jake in competition and were very impressed,” said McAnally in a team release. “We want to work with him and be a part of his future in racing.”
The organization says that Garcia also caught the eye of Mike Bean, president of GMS Racing – a technical ally of MHR. Beam has been impressed with the speed of the team’s two-truck operation in the season’s first two races, and is confident Garcia will play a role in their success going forward.
“In the first two races of the year, we have seen some tremendous speed come out of the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing trucks ever since they became a part of an alliance with our team at GMS Racing,” Beam said. “We look forward to working with their newest driver, Jake Garcia, and seeing the progression of our alliance throughout the season.”
Garcia became the youngest driver to ever win the Southern Super Series championship in 2021 and he was also the Five Flags Speedway track champion in the Super Late Model division.
The High School junior will look to showcase his skills in the NASCAR National Series this year.
