NASCAR silly season continued this week as preparations ahead of the 2026 campaign continue to ramp up.
One of the latest driver deals to be announced came in the Truck Series, with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) confirming on Friday that they would be bringing Christian Eckes back to their organization for next season.
Eckes raced full-time in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing in 2025, but also appeared on two occasions in the Truck Series with MHR, whom he also drove for full-time in 2023 and 2024.
Now, the team are bringing him 'home', with Eckes set to pilot the No. 91 Chevrolet truck full-time, with Dave Elenz serving as crew chief on the team.
Eckes reacts to MHR return
“I couldn’t be happier to be back at MHR,” Eckes explained. “We had a lot of success in 2023-24, and we want to get back to that next year.
"Bill [McAnally] and I have always had a great relationship and we’re putting a lot of quality people and pieces together.
"We had two great years here, and I enjoyed the races I ran this past year. It’s great to stay in a Chevrolet and have their commitment to MHR.
"Also, the relationships with NAPA, their suppliers, and ownerships made a lot of sense to come back here and chase a championship together.”
Elsewhere, Elenz, crew chief of the No. 91 team next year, said: “I’m looking forward to working with Christian and everyone at MHR.
“This will be a new challenge, and there’s a lot of optimism for what we can accomplish together.
"It’ll be great to have a full off-season to prepare so we can show up to Daytona ready to compete for wins.”
Eckes has 'unfinished business' at MHR
Also speaking as part of the official announcement was team owner Bill McAnally, who expressed his joy at bringing Eckes back to the team.
“We’re excited to have Christian back,” McAnally said. “He certainly has his fingerprints on our program, and all of us were proud to see him in the Xfinity Series last year, but we have unfinished business.
"Between him and Dave [Elenz], we’re putting a great team together to chase that championship. I’m excited to see them work together and see the impact it makes throughout our company."
