Spire Motorsports development driver Tristan McKee seems to have his future mapped out.
The heralded 16-year-old prospect from Virginia will run an expanded schedule in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series next year with Spire Motorsports, but, as announced on Friday, will also run part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for JR Motorsports.
McKee will make his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 13, 2027, piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro, before running a partial schedule in 2027 and 2028 and going full-time with JR Motorsports in 2029.
“Adding a driver like Tristan to our organization for multiple years is a testament to how we operate as a company,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt-Miller. “JRM has always looked to help the growth of young, up-and-coming drivers and Tristan fits that mold. His accomplishments at such a young age behind the wheel speak for itself and I’m really looking forward to watching him develop and mature over these next three years while competing for race wins and championships.”
The 16-year-old has been nothing but impressive throughout his entire racing career, becoming the youngest driver to claim the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series championship, winning the ARCA Menards Series East championship this year, and recording some impressive results in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to date.
“I can’t wait to get started at Bristol next year with JRM,” said McKee. “It means the world to have the opportunity to compete in one of their cars and I can’t thank Dale (Earnhardt Jr.), Kelley, LW and everyone at JRM and Spire for this chance. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can build together.”
“We’ve been really fortunate to be a part of Tristan’s development and felt that this next step to JRM was the best thing for him as we look ahead to the future,” added Spire Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson. “JRM has been the benchmark of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for years and I can’t think of a better place for Tristan to go and to learn from than with the best that the series has to offer.”
Further announcements around the full schedule for McKee and the driver lineup of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro will come at a later date.
