Tristan McKee will join the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports, taking the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado at Richmond Raceway on August 14, just eleven days after celebrating his 16th birthday.
In the crew seat Mr. McKee will have Chad Walter as his chief and will compete in the No. 77 truck. The 17‑mile long race fits within the regulations that restrict drivers under 18 to tracks no longer than 1.25 miles, a rule that will govern the rest of his rookie schedule.
Race Calendar and Team Outlook
Spire has confirmed that the Richmond outing will be the first of five races, with the driver next slated for New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, Phoenix Raceway on October 16, and Martinsville Speedway on October 30.
Jeff Dickerson, co‑owner of Spire, praised McKee’s “huge upside” and emphasized that the team will evaluate his results across the entire mini‑season rather than focusing on a single performance.
Rapid Rise Through Regional Circuits
McKee burst onto the national scene at age twelve by becoming the youngest champion in CARS Tour history when he captured the Pro Late Model feature at Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina. He followed that success with several additional CARS Tour victories.
In the ARCA Menards Series, the teenager has already amassed two wins in nine starts, including a victory on his debut at Watkins Glen in 2025, and has claimed three of his five ARCA East races this year, positioning him second in the standings.
“I can’t thank Jeff Dickerson, Dan Towriss, Bill Anthony, and everyone at Spire Motorsports enough for believing in me,” McKee said. “I’ve worked for this opportunity my entire life and I’m thrilled to take this next step.”
Start of a New Chapter
McKee’s entry into the Truck Series is not a one‑off; Spire intends to nurture him across a series of short‑track contests that suit his age and burgeoning skill set.
As the 2024 season progresses, the team’s focus will remain on leveraging McKee’s proven talent and the developmental structure of their Ascent Program to shepherd the teenage driver into a viable full‑time contender.
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