JR Motorsports today announced that Spire Motorsports’ development driver Tristan McKee will be joining the organization to pilot the No. 9 Chevrolet, beginning with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, Aug. 13, 2027. McKee, the heralded 16-year-old, will compete on a part-time basis starting with the end of the 2027 NOAPS season and throughout 2028 in compliance with the NASCAR rulebook before being eligible to race full-time with JRM in the NOAPS 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.”
McKee, who will be running part-time for Spire behind the wheel of the No. 7 in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series next year, has already made a name for himself in NASCAR’s top-three series, as he became the youngest driver in the history to earn a top-five finish after finishing fifth at Bristol in the NCTS race on Sept. 17. Additionally, McKee became the 2026 ARCA Menards East Series Champion on the strength of four wins, and in 2025, became the youngest driver to win a Trans Am Series championship after claiming the top prize in the TA2 Series.
“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 races for McKee and the full driver line up for the No. 9 Chevrolet will come at a later date.
— JR Motorsports —