McAnally Hilgemann Racing Overview
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, also widely known as Bill McAnally Racing, is a professional American stock car racing team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Founded in 1990 and based in Roseville, California, with an additional shop in Statesville, North Carolina, the team is owned by Bill McAnally along with business partners Mike Curb and William Hilgemann. The organization fields multiple Chevrolet trucks and cars across national NASCAR development series and is widely recognized as one of the most successful owners in the history of NASCAR’s touring series. Long-term sponsorship from NAPA Auto Parts has defined the team’s identity since its earliest days, and that relationship continues to anchor the program.
Across its history, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has accumulated 12 drivers’ championships, more than 119 race victories, and 102 pole positions, with the majority of those accomplishments earned in the ARCA Menards Series West. The team’s competitive base in the West Series has provided a steady platform for developing young talent, while its modern Truck Series program represents the organization’s current primary focus. With Chevrolet power, a refined technical alliance structure, and a deep roster of experienced crew members, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing continues to serve as both a championship contender and a developmental proving ground within NASCAR.
Founding and Organizational Origins
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing traces its origins to 1990, when Bill McAnally first began competing in the Late Model division at All American Speedway in Roseville, California. While preparing his car for that first season, McAnally approached NAPA Auto Parts about sponsorship, and the company agreed to back his effort. McAnally went on to win the Late Model championship in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at the track that same year, marking both the team’s first title and the beginning of a sponsorship relationship that has endured for more than three decades. NAPA’s early commitment provided the financial foundation that allowed the operation to expand beyond local short tracks.
In the years that followed, McAnally balanced his racing program with a full-time job as a utility lineman, gradually building both his driving resume and his organizational infrastructure. Between 1992 and 1998, he made 56 starts in what was then known as the NASCAR Winston West Series, campaigning several car numbers while continuing to refine his approach to team management. By the late 1990s, McAnally had built a small but disciplined shop and a core group of personnel capable of fielding competitive entries on a regular basis. Those early investments in people, equipment, and sponsor relationships created the operational backbone that would later support the team’s championship success.
Growth Into NASCAR Touring Series Competition
McAnally’s transition from driver-only to team owner accelerated in 1999, when he opened the seat in his No. 16 Chevrolet for Sean Woodside. Woodside won the first race of the season at Tucson Raceway Park and went on to capture the West Series championship, giving McAnally his first title as an owner. The following year, Brendan Gaughan took over the No. 16 and delivered back-to-back West Series championships in 2000 and 2001, while McAnally simultaneously expanded into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The early Truck Series program added a national dimension to the team and signaled its intent to operate across multiple NASCAR development ladder series.
Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing continued to broaden its operational footprint. The team added Toyota as a manufacturer partner in 2008 and deepened its presence in both the West Series and the Truck Series. In January 2020, Bill McAnally announced a formal partnership with Bill Hilgemann, creating McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as the Truck Series identity and refocusing the West Series operation under the BMR banner. By 2022, the organization had transitioned back to Chevrolet in both series, established a technical alliance with GMS Racing, and committed to fielding multiple trucks on a full-time basis. That infrastructure set the stage for the modern championship-contending program the team operates today.
McAnally Hilgemann Racing Competitive Journey
From its earliest days as a single-car Late Model effort in Roseville, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has evolved into one of the most prolific winners in NASCAR’s developmental and touring series. The team’s competitive journey has unfolded in three broad chapters: a foundational era in the West Series during the 1990s, a sustained period of multi-series championship success in the 2000s and 2010s, and a modern Truck Series-led program that competes at the national level. Across every stage, the organization has emphasized driver development, manufacturer alignment, and continuity with its core NAPA sponsorship.
Early Seasons and Development (1990–1998)
The team’s competitive journey began at the grassroots level, with Bill McAnally winning the 1990 Late Model championship at All American Speedway under the NAPA banner. After moving into the Winston West Series in 1992, McAnally ran a part-time schedule for several seasons while continuing to work a full-time job as a utility lineman. A setback came in 1994, when vandals destroyed his car and equipment the night before the season opener, yet McAnally still managed six starts that year while rebuilding the operation.
By 1995, McAnally had assembled enough resources to run a full West Series schedule for the first time, finishing ninth in points. He matched that result in 1996 and continued refining the team’s structure through 1998. Across this period, the organization fielded a variety of car numbers and gradually developed the crew base and shop discipline that would underpin its championship success in the following decade. The late 1990s also produced the team’s first West Series victory, when Gary Smith won at Portland Speedway in 1998 driving the No. 16.
Breakthrough in the ARCA Menards Series West (1999–2010)
The team’s first major breakthrough arrived in 1999, when Sean Woodside won the West Series championship in the No. 16 Chevrolet. Brendan Gaughan followed with consecutive titles in 2000 and 2001, establishing McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as the dominant operation in the series and coinciding with the team’s first entries in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. After a transitional period that included title challenges from drivers such as Austin Cameron and Steve Portenga, Eric Holmes returned the team to the championship summit in 2008 and again in 2010. Holmes’ second title run included five wins and five poles, cementing the team’s reputation for sustained excellence.
Throughout this era, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing also deepened its manufacturer ties, switching to Toyota in 2008 and adding new car numbers to its inventory. The organization fielded entries for drivers including Brian Ickler, Peyton Sellers, Moses Smith, and Paulie Harraka, with Harraka winning Rookie of the Year in 2009 in the No. 12 car. The period closed with a strong West Series foundation, an expanding Truck Series footprint, and a roster of proven championship-caliber drivers.
Breakthrough in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2014–2021)
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s national profile grew sharply in the mid-2010s. In 2014, the team fielded Cole Custer in selected Truck Series races, with Custer scoring a win at Richmond Raceway. The following seasons featured developmental efforts with drivers such as Cameron Hayley, Christopher Bell, and Todd Gilliland, while the West Series program continued to deliver championships. Chris Eggleston captured the 2015 West Series title in the No. 99, and Todd Gilliland won back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, making McAnally just the third owner in series history to win consecutive titles on two separate occasions.
The formation of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as a formal Truck Series identity in January 2020 marked the team’s clearest national statement. Derek Kraus was announced as the full-time driver of the No. 19 Tundra, and the team expanded its Truck Series schedule each subsequent season. Hailie Deegan had earlier made history in 2018 as the first woman to win a K&N Pro Series pole, and in 2019 she became the first woman to win at the K&N level at Meridian Speedway. Jesse Love added the 2020 West Series championship at just 15 years old, while the Truck Series program continued to build momentum heading into the modern era.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2022–Present)
In 2022, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing switched its manufacturer alignment back to Chevrolet and formalized a technical alliance with GMS Racing. The Truck Series program expanded its truck count, while the West Series operation continued under the BMR banner with drivers such as Austin Herzog, Landen Lewis, and Tanner Reif. Christian Eckes anchored the No. 19 Truck Series entry in 2023 and scored victories at Atlanta, Darlington, and Kansas, while rookie Jake Garcia ran the No. 35 full-time. The team also added Chase Elliott for the Daytona Truck Series race, owing to age eligibility rules for restrictor-plate events.
The current McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Truck Series lineup fields the No. 18 for Tyler Ankrum, the No. 19 for Daniel Hemric, the No. 81 for Kris Wright, and the No. 91 for Christian Eckes. Ankrum qualified for the Truck Series Playoffs in 2024 and advanced to the Round of 8, and later broke a 130-race winless drought with a victory at Rockingham in 2025. The West Series program fields the No. 16 for Jack Wood and the No. 19 for drivers including Eric Johnson Jr., Jake Bollman, and Christian Eckes, with additional ARCA Menards Series entries run part-time.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has built its reputation on consistency, driver development, and long-term sponsor and manufacturer partnerships. The team’s competitive strengths are most visible on short tracks and intermediate ovals, where its West Series program has produced the majority of its 100 victories. In the Truck Series, the organization has emphasized race-trim speed, disciplined pit work, and the ability to develop young drivers into playoff-caliber competitors.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Among the team’s most notable milestones are its first West Series victory with Gary Smith in 1998, Brendan Gaughan’s back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001, Todd Gilliland’s consecutive championships in 2016 and 2017, Hailie Deegan’s historic 2019 victory at Meridian Speedway, and Jesse Love’s 2020 championship at age 15. The formation of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2020 and the switch to Chevrolet in 2022 represent the most important organizational milestones of the modern era.
McAnally Hilgemann Racing Achievements and Results
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s verified record includes 12 drivers’ championships, more than 119 race victories, and 102 pole positions across the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the ARCA Menards Series West, the ARCA Menards Series East, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team’s championship total includes 11 West Series titles and one Whelen All-American Series title. Its victory total breaks down to 100 West Series wins, 10 Truck Series wins, and 9 East Series wins, supported by a combined 83 West Series poles and 13 Truck Series poles.
ARCA Menards Series West Achievements
The ARCA Menards Series West represents the foundation of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s success, with 100 race victories, 83 pole positions, and 11 drivers’ championships to its credit. The team’s first West Series title came in 1999 with Sean Woodside, followed by Brendan Gaughan’s back-to-back championships in 2000 and 2001. Eric Holmes added titles in 2008 and 2010, while Chris Eggleston and Todd Gilliland delivered consecutive championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
More recent West Series champions under the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing umbrella include Jesse Love in 2020 and Derek Kraus in 2019. The team has also produced landmark individual results, including Hailie Deegan’s 2019 victory at Meridian Speedway and Gracie Trotter’s 2020 win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. Cole Rouse’s first career K&N Pro Series win at All American Speedway in 2018 added another highlight to the program’s deep victory ledger.
ARCA Menards Series East Achievements
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has compiled 9 victories and 6 pole positions in the ARCA Menards Series East, with the most recent East Series entries recorded in 2020. Drivers such as Todd Gilliland, Derek Kraus, and Hailie Deegan have contributed to that total, often through combination races shared with the West Series schedule. While the team has not captured an East Series drivers’ championship, its selective East Series campaigns have provided additional seat time for its developing drivers and have reinforced the organization’s presence across NASCAR’s regional ladder.
Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has recorded 10 victories and 13 pole positions since first entering the series. The team’s first Truck Series win came in 2014 with Cole Custer at Richmond Raceway, and additional victories have followed through drivers including Todd Gilliland, Derek Kraus, and Christian Eckes. Eckes’ three-win 2023 campaign at Atlanta, Darlington, and Kansas highlighted the team’s growing competitiveness at the national level.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has yet to capture a Truck Series drivers’ championship, but the program has qualified for the playoffs and advanced deep into postseason contention. Tyler Ankrum reached the Round of 8 in 2024 and ended a 130-race winless streak with a victory at Rockingham in 2025. The team’s multi-truck operation, Chevrolet technical alliance, and seasoned crew chief structure position it as a consistent contender in the series’ modern era.
McAnally Hilgemann Racing Upcoming Projects (2025)
For the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing is fielding the No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado for Tyler Ankrum, the No. 19 for Daniel Hemric, the No. 81 for Kris Wright, and the No. 91 for Christian Eckes. The team’s ARCA Menards Series West program includes the No. 16 Chevrolet SS for Jack Wood and the No. 19 for a rotation of drivers including Jake Bollman, Christian Eckes, and Eric Johnson Jr. Select ARCA Menards Series entries are also planned, continuing the organization’s long-standing strategy of competing across multiple NASCAR development series simultaneously.