Tyler Ankrum Bio
Tyler Michael Ankrum (born March 6, 2001) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado RST for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. Ankrum is widely recognized as the first NASCAR national series race winner born in the 21st century or later, a milestone that helped launch his reputation as a young talent to watch.
He first gained national attention by winning the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship, which was also the first series title for David Gilliland Racing (DGR-Crosley). Over the following seasons, Ankrum moved through the NASCAR ranks and established himself as a steady competitor in the Truck Series, with his sights still set on the national series.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Michael Ankrum was born on March 6, 2001, in San Bernardino, California. He grew up on a ranch in Southern California, where he spent much of his early childhood around animals and outdoor life. His mother, Michelle, has been a steady presence in his life and career, while his father, who also dabbled in racing, helped introduce him to motorsports. As a young boy, Ankrum first dreamed of becoming a professional bull rider, inspired by his childhood hero Lane Frost, but Michelle quickly discouraged that path.
After briefly aiming at professional golf, Ankrum turned his attention to racing. He started as a youngster in quarter midgets before progressing to late model stock cars. He won his first late model race at Caraway Speedway at the age of fourteen, an early sign of his natural feel for stock cars. He later stepped into super late model racing in late 2015, capturing Hickory Motor Speedway’s Fall Brawl in 2015 and finishing third in the 2018 Rattler 250.
Path to NASCAR
After establishing himself in late model ranks, Ankrum signed with David Gilliland Racing in January 2018 to run a partial NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule. Strong early results turned that deal into a full-time effort, and he reeled off a string of wins at South Boston Speedway, Thompson Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Iowa Speedway. By the September race at New Hampshire, Ankrum had built an insurmountable points lead and clinched the 2018 K&N Pro Series East championship.
The title gave DGR-Crosley its first championship in any racing series and opened the door for Ankrum to move into NASCAR’s national touring ranks. He made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in 2018 with DGR-Crosley, finishing eighteenth in the No. 54 Toyota Tundra. That debut set the stage for a full-time Truck Series effort the following season.
Tyler Ankrum Career
Early Career (2015-2018)
Ankrum’s early career centered on short tracks across the Southeast, where he built a reputation as a quick learner and consistent finisher. He competed in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock division for one season before switching to super late models in late 2015. His results in that division, including the 2015 Fall Brawl win at Hickory Motor Speedway, helped him land a ride with a NASCAR development team.
His move to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with David Gilliland Racing produced immediate results. Starting part-time in 2018, Ankrum reeled off four wins and twelve top-ten finishes in a partial campaign that stretched into a full season. That championship run made him one of the most talked-about young drivers in the NASCAR development pipeline.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2018-2021)
Ankrum made his Truck Series debut at Martinsville in 2018 with DGR-Crosley, then ran a fuller schedule in 2019. After graduating high school during pre-race ceremonies at Texas Motor Speedway in June 2019, he recovered from a wild race to finish a career-best third that afternoon. On July 11, 2019, he scored his first Truck Series win at Kentucky Speedway after Brett Moffitt ran out of fuel on the final lap, becoming the first driver born in the 21st century or later to win a NASCAR national series race and giving DGR-Crosley its first Truck Series victory. He joined GMS Racing for the 2020 Truck Series season, where he made the playoffs.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Continued (2022-2024)
In 2022, Ankrum returned to a Toyota team, piloting the No. 16 Toyota Tundra for Hattori Racing Enterprises. On December 7, 2023, it was announced that he would move to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for the 2024 season in the newly renumbered No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado. Strong consistency during the 2024 regular season earned him a playoff berth for the first time since 2020. He was eliminated at the end of the Round of 8 at Martinsville Speedway.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Era (2024-Present)
Since joining McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, Ankrum has enjoyed some of the strongest results of his Truck Series career. He finished the 2025 regular season in strong form and capped a memorable year with a fuel-mileage victory in the Truck Series’ return to Rockingham Speedway in The Black’s Tire 200, snapping a 130-race winless streak that had been the longest in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history. That win, combined with steady regular-season results, lifted his best career Truck Series points finish to fourth in 2025.
Ankrum’s move to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing paired him with a Chevrolet program that has built steadily around him. The No. 18 team’s combination of race-day strategy and engineering support has helped him turn consistent top-ten runs into playoff-caliber finishes. With momentum from his Rockingham breakthrough, Ankrum has emerged as a regular threat to win each week in the Truck Series.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ankrum is known for smooth, mistake-free driving and the patience to capitalize on late-race opportunities, as shown by his fuel-mileage victory at Rockingham. He has performed well on a wide range of tracks, from short ovals like Martinsville to intermediates like Texas, and has built a strong rapport with his McAnally-Hilgemann Racing crew. His race-craft and tire-management skills have made him especially dangerous in long green-flag runs.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Ankrum lists his first Truck Series win at Kentucky Speedway in 2019 and his Rockingham victory in 2025, which ended a historic winless streak. His podium run at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019, the same day he graduated from Lake Norman High School, also stands out. Each milestone has reinforced his reputation as one of the most resilient young drivers in NASCAR.
Tyler Ankrum Career Wins
Across his NASCAR career, Tyler Ankrum has built a verified win tally that spans the K&N Pro Series East, the ARCA Menards Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His Truck Series victories at Kentucky in 2019 and Rockingham in 2025 bracket a career arc that has carried him from promising development prospect to established winner.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Highlights
Ankrum has 2 wins, 68 top-ten finishes, and 1 pole in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His first Truck Series win came at Kentucky Speedway in the 2019 Buckle Up in Your Truck 225, and his most recent victory came in the 2025 Black’s Tire 200 at Rockingham Speedway. He qualified for the playoffs in 2019 and 2020 and advanced to the Round of 8 in 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Truck Series success, Ankrum won the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship with four victories and twelve top-ten finishes. He also recorded a single ARCA Menards Series win at Mid-Ohio in 2023. Earlier in his career, he captured Hickory Motor Speedway’s Fall Brawl in 2015 in super late model competition.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 2 | 68 | 1 |
| NASCAR K&N Pro Series East | 4 | 12 | 1 |
| ARCA Menards Series | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Tyler Ankrum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tyler was raised in San Bernardino, California, by his mother, Michelle Ankrum, who played a central role in guiding his early career decisions. His father also dabbled in racing, helping spark Tyler’s interest in motorsports. The family later relocated from Southern California to North Carolina to support his progression through the NASCAR development ladder.
Personal Life
Ankrum attended Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, North Carolina, where he graduated in 2019. He has continued to live in the Mooresville area, the heart of NASCAR country. Away from the track, he owns and operates a 474-acre ranch on weekdays, a nod to the rural upbringing that shaped his early years in Southern California.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Ankrum’s 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opened with a 34th-place finish at Daytona International Speedway, a result that did not reflect his overall pace. He rebounded quickly and used consistent runs throughout the regular season to climb into the playoff picture with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. His fourth-place points finish was a career best at the national-series level.
The highlight of the year came when Ankrum won The Black’s Tire 200 at Rockingham Speedway, the Truck Series’ return to the historic North Carolina oval. The fuel-mileage victory ended a 130-race winless streak, the longest in series history, and reaffirmed his ability to capitalize on late-race strategy calls. The win locked him into the playoffs and gave his No. 18 team renewed confidence.
Heading into the closing stretch of the 2025 season, Ankrum and the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing crew have built real momentum. With one of the most consistent Chevrolets in the garage and a renewed ability to close out races, his outlook for the remainder of 2025 includes contending for deep playoff runs and additional victories.
