Kaulig Racing has been a fixture in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2016. It grew from a single-car effort into a three-entry operation in NASCAR with Christian Eckes in the No. 16, Daniel Dye in the No. 10, and a rotating lineup in the No. 11. So, when the team announced it would shut down its Xfinity program for 2026, it sent shockwaves through the garage. But, more importantly, it left multiple drivers suddenly searching for their next chapter.

But one of them didn’t have to look far. In fact, he’s heading right back to his home, where he once shined.

A homecoming for Christian Eckes

Christian Eckes is returning to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR), this time to compete full-time in the Trucks Series. It’s a reunion of sorts for Eckes, fueled by history, loyalty, and the belief that the job isn’t done yet. For 2026, MHR is putting Eckes back behind the wheel of the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado RST, pairing him with veteran crew chief Dave Elenz as they go all-in for a championship run.

Columbia Bank will back this effort (expanding a partnership that began in late 2025), along with Old World Industries’ NAPA Nightvision brand, NAPA Brakes Gold Calipers, and NAPA Auto Care. For Eckes, the decision was emotional and strategic. “I couldn’t be happier to be back at MHR,” Eckes said.

“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,” he further added.

And the numbers back him up. In just two full-time Truck seasons with MHR, Eckes stacked up eight wins, 25 top-fives, 35 top-10s, and a massive 1,050 laps led. This all culminated in a third-place finish in the 2024 standings. Now, he’ll be joined by Elenz, whose résumé includes 15 Xfinity wins, two NXS championships, and a Southern 500 victory.

“I’m looking forward to working with Christian and everyone at MHR,” Elenz shared. “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.”

Team owner Bill McAnally made the mission clear. “We’re excited to have Christian back. He certainly has his fingerprints on our program… but we have unfinished business.” Eckes’ comeback begins February 13th at Daytona, with more partnership news to follow.

Christian Eckes’ rise as a Truck Series standout

Christian Eckes’ journey through the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has been anything but ordinary, and NASCAR today continues to feel the impact of the foundation he built years ago. His Truck Series story began in 2018 with Kyle Busch Motorsports, where he immediately flashed promise.

Top-ten finishes, speed on short tracks, and an ability to lead laps helped him stand out in a field stacked with veterans. By 2020, in his full-time campaign with KBM, Eckes reached the playoffs. It was proof that his instincts and racecraft were already maturing, even if the season ended without a win.

A move to ThorSport Racing in 2021 elevated him further. Eckes scored his first career Truck Series victory at Las Vegas, backed by a string of strong runs that solidified his status as a weekly threat. But it was his first stint with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing where the leap truly happened.

In 2023, Eckes delivered a breakout season: four wins, ten top-5s, and a fifth-place points finish. His smooth driving style and discipline under pressure made him one of the most respected young drivers in NASCAR today. The momentum carried into 2024, arguably his most complete season. Wins at Bristol, Martinsville, and Nashville, combined with more than 1,000 laps led, capped off with the regular-season championship.

Although the playoffs brought their share of drama and he ultimately fell short in the Championship 4, the year established Eckes firmly as a title-caliber competitor. Now, as he prepares for 2026 back with MHR, Eckes enters the season not as a prospect but as a proven force.

With experience, consistency, and a winning résumé, he’s primed to chase the one milestone missing from his Truck Series legacy – a championship that would elevate his status even further in NASCAR today.