Kris Wright is set to start his first full-time season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) at Daytona International Speedway. Returning after competing in two races last year with MHR, Wright aims to build on his previous experience and establish consistency in 2026 while driving the No. 81 F.N.B. Corporation Chevrolet Silverado RST.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of the Fresh From Florida 250
The upcoming Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona is expected to be an intense event as the track kicks off the season with back-to-back superspeedway races. The combination of high-speed drafting and aggressive competition sets the stage for unpredictable results. This year’s field includes seven drivers with NASCAR Cup Series experience, boasting three Cup championships and 56 victories, making it one of the most challenging NCTS competitions to date.
Wright Draws on Prior Success and New Opportunities
Wright enters this full-time season after a strong showing in the ARCA Menards Series in 2024, where he secured third place in the standings and achieved eight top-five finishes. Partnering again with crew chief Darren Fraley, Wright hopes to leverage lessons from last season’s two races at Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished 11th, to gain momentum early in the year. Success at these superspeedways could provide the No. 81 F.N.B. Corporation team the foundation needed for the entire season.
Broadcast Details and Ways to Follow the Season
The action in Daytona Beach starts on Thursday afternoon with practice sessions airing on FOX Sports 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Qualifying follows on Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET, with the race beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET the same day. Fans can follow the No. 81 team’s progress through social media channels such as Twitter (@BMR_NASCAR), Instagram (@bmr_nascar), and the Bill McAnally Racing Facebook page to stay updated throughout the season.
Wright Reflects on the Season Ahead
I’m excited to be back with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing to open the season at Daytona. We built a solid baseline with the two races I ran with the team last year at the ROVAL and Talladega, and we learned a lot during the test at Rockingham last week. I feel like we’re ready to hit the ground running. I’m really thankful to MHR and everyone at F.N.B. Corporation for the opportunity to race full-time this season, and I’m excited to see what we can do together this year.
– Kris Wright
Looking Ahead: What This Season Could Mean for Wright and MHR
This full-time NASCAR debut marks a pivotal step in Kris Wright’s career as he competes in one of the sport’s top national series. With strong backing from MHR and F.N.B. Corporation, his performance at Daytona and the subsequent superspeedway races could influence his trajectory in the series. Early success may set the tone for a competitive 2026 campaign, providing valuable experience against seasoned drivers and positioning Wright as a rising talent in NASCAR’s national ranks.
