Daniel Hemric – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Photo
MHR Reaches Landmark Extension with NAPA
Daniel Hemric Returns in 2026
(Statesville, N.C.) – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced today a
landmark multi-year partnership expansion with NAPA Auto Parts and
several NAPA supplier partners. The 2026 season will mark the NAPA
brand’s 36th year in partnership with team owner Bill McAnally as the
No. 19 and No. 91 entries will carry the NAPA Auto Care colors in a
total of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) races.
Daniel Hemric is returning to MHR for his second season behind the wheel
of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST and will continue
to work with crew chief Kevin Bellicourt. Hemric, the 2021 NASCAR
Xfinity Series Champion, scored his first NCTS victory in his fifth
outing with MHR in 2025 to clinch a playoff berth in his first year with
the team. His No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet will feature a fresh white
and blue contrasting color scheme, beginning with the season opener at
Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to come back and
drive this No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet again,” Hemric said. “We
have a lot to build on after winning a race last year, but we didn’t
make as big of a run as we wanted to in the playoffs. Working with Kevin
[Bellicourt] for a second year will give us the consistency to keep
developing and hopefully get to victory lane more often. Having the
support from NAPA Auto Care, the store owners, and all their suppliers
is incredible, especially going on 36-straight years. We want to do all
we can to reward them with running up front and win races.”
Christian Eckes, who has rejoined MHR for his third season with the
organization, will also pilot a primarily blue NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet
in multiple races in 2026.
“As part of our long-standing and productive partnership with
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, we are excited to support Daniel and
Christian as they embark on another successful season as members of the
NAPA Racing family,” said Katherine Wooten, NAPA Director of
Partnerships.
NAPA suppliers will also be showcased on Hemric and Eckes’ Chevrolets,
including Gates Hydraulics as they continue their support of MHR for the
29th consecutive year. The unmistakable Gates Hydraulics hose will adorn
the rear bumpers of both the No. 19 and 91 Chevrolets in all 25 races
throughout the season, highlighting their staunch commitment to the NAPA
system, store owners and repair shop customers.
Terrepower and the Adaptive One Calipers brand will be on board Eckes’
No. 91 for three races, marking a 10-year milestone in the partnership
which began in 2016 with an ARCA Menards Series West championship. The
pairing between Terrepower and Eckes produced a pair of dominating wins
in 2024 at Martinsville Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.
Old World Industries’ (OWI) NAPA Nightvision brand of lamps and
headlights will be featured for multiple races on Eckes’ No. 91
Chevrolet. In 2025, Hemric drove the NAPA Nightvision brand to two
top five finishes, including a runner-up at Watkins Glen International.
The OWI brands have also graced victory lane with Eckes at Kansas
Speedway in 2023. The 2026 campaign marks the 13th year of OWI’s
partnership with MHR which began with the “Peak Stock Car Dream
Challenge” in 2013.
NGK Spark Plugs will also elevate their partnership with MHR to include
a primary paint scheme on Hemric’s No. 19 at Michigan International
Speedway on June 6th. MHR has been powered by NGK’s spark plugs for 30
years and will feature a full NCTS paint scheme for the first time in
2026.
“We celebrated 35 years with NAPA last year and that was tremendous
milestone,” team owner Bill McAnally stated. “But to have NAPA Auto
Care and suppliers support two of our trucks is amazing. We’ve had so
many relationships for multiple decades, especially Gates Hydraulics,
that continue to fuel our program. Terrepower, Old World Industries, and
NGK have been so committed over the years to help us win races and
championships, so this is an incredible step for our operation. Our
drivers and teams make an impact within the NAPA system, and we hope we
can celebrate more wins and a championship with the store owners and
customers next November.”
Hemric’s quest for his first NCTS title in the NAPA Auto Care
Chevrolet begins on Friday, February 13th at Daytona International
Speedway, live on FOX Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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