Christian Eckes, Daniel Hemric Lead MHR’s Playoff Push at Lime Rock Park – Speedway Digest

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — McAnally-Hilgemann Racing heads to the scenic hills of northwest Connecticut this weekend with momentum, opportunity and playoff implications on the line as the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Lime Rock Park for Saturday’s LIUNA 150.

The 100-lap event marks both the second Truck Series race at the historic 1.47-mile road course and the final road-course race of the 2026 season. For MHR’s four full-time entries, the weekend offers a chance to strengthen playoff positioning and potentially contend for a breakthrough victory before the postseason push intensifies.

Leading the charge is Daniel Hemric, whose No. 19 CRC Brakleen Chevrolet team has emerged as one of the series’ premier road-racing combinations. Hemric enters Lime Rock with the best average finish among Truck Series regulars on road courses this season at 4.7, highlighted by finishes of second at Coronado Naval Base, fourth at Watkins Glen and eighth in the season’s other road-course event.

The North Carolina driver sits eighth in the championship standings, 35 points clear of the playoff cut line, and believes track position will be critical at Lime Rock after last year’s inaugural Truck Series race produced limited passing opportunities.

“Our team has done a great job of preparing for the road courses and definitely improved our Chevrolets this season,” Hemric said. “We’d love to cash in with the speed that we’ve had.”

While Hemric seeks his first road-course victory, teammate Tyler Ankrum arrives focused on redemption following heartbreak in San Diego. Ankrum appeared headed for a top-five finish before contact with the pit-road wall with four laps remaining ended his day prematurely.

The driver of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet finished inside the top 10 at Lime Rock last season and welcomes the opportunity to return to a venue carrying added significance. LIUNA serves as both Ankrum’s primary sponsor and the entitlement sponsor of Saturday’s race.

Currently ninth in the standings, Ankrum is looking to create additional separation from the playoff bubble with only five races remaining before the postseason begins.

“It has been a tough year for this No. 18 group,” Ankrum said. “San Diego was such a heartbreaker, but I am ready for redemption of the lefts and rights. LIUNA is sponsoring the race, so this would be a really special one to end it off in the top spot.”

The No. 18 team will also feature Connecticut-based Tilcon Connecticut Inc. on the truck’s left-side spoiler during Saturday’s event.

Christian Eckes enters the weekend fifth in points and continues searching for his first victory since returning to full-time Truck Series competition with MHR. The New York native has been one of the series’ most consistent performers throughout 2026 with three top-five finishes, eight top-10s and three stage victories through 13 races.

Although Lime Rock will mark Eckes’ first appearance at the Connecticut circuit, road-course racing has traditionally been a strength. Across NASCAR’s national series, Eckes has built a solid resume on left-and-right-turn layouts, including three top-five finishes during his 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie campaign.

“We’ve had to do a lot of preparation in the last few weeks for Lime Rock since I haven’t been there before,” Eckes said. “This is a great opportunity this weekend with the series regulars if we’re able to qualify how we’re capable of and be consistent on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Kris Wright enters Lime Rock coming off his best finish of the season. The driver of the No. 81 Warranty Solutions Chevrolet earned a season-best 13th-place result at Coronado Naval Base and returns to one of the tracks where he has enjoyed previous success in sports car competition.

Wright owns four previous starts at Lime Rock dating back to 2016, including two top-five finishes in Pirelli World Challenge competition and a runner-up result in the 2017 Mazda Prototype Challenge.

“It’s unfortunate this is the final road course of the season because road racing is my wheelhouse,” Wright said. “We’re looking to put together a complete day at Lime Rock and build on that result.”

As the Truck Series reaches the midpoint of its 2026 campaign, MHR arrives at Lime Rock with all four teams carrying plenty to race for. Hemric looks to convert road-course speed into a victory, Ankrum seeks redemption and playoff security, Eckes aims to punch his ticket back to Victory Lane, and Wright hopes to capitalize on his road-racing background.