NASCAR Truck Series: Tyler Ankrum to drive for DGR-Crosley in 2019

Tyler Ankrum, the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion, is set to drive full-time in the Truck Series for DGR-Crosley in the 2019 season.

After winning the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series championship in his first season competing in the series, Tyler Ankrum is set to move up to the Truck Series as a full-time driver starting in the 2019 season.

The 17-year-old San Bernardino, California native is set to drive the #17 DGR-Crosley Toyota in 20 of the season’s 23 races, as his 18th birthday is not until Wednesday, March 6, 2019. This means that he will not be allowed to compete in the season’s first three races at Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Ankrum is scheduled to make his first start as the full-time driver of the #17 Toyota on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in the race at Martinsville Speedway.

Here is what Ankrum had to say about the opportunity to drive for DGR-Crosley in the 2019 Truck Series season, according to NASCAR.

"“Honestly, this is a dream come true. It’s crazy to think that something I’ve been a fan of for so long, I’m now going to be a part of it. It’s even more special that I get to stay at DGR-Crosley and progress within their organization. Everyone on our team collaborates really well together, and there’s not a single person there that I don’t enjoy being around and learning from. Being surrounded by a group of people that I’m comfortable with will help in the transition and learning curve of moving up to the Truck Series. I’m really thankful for this opportunity, thankful to David for believing in me and especially grateful for all those that have supported me throughout my entire career.”"

Here is what DGR-Crosley team co-owner David Gilliland had to say about Ankrum driving for the team in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m really happy that Tyler is continuing his career with us at DGR-Crosley. We started working with him when he was racing Late Model Stock cars a few years ago, and obviously he had a phenomenal season with us this year in the K&N East with four wins and a championship. It’s really special to watch him grow and develop as a driver. Tyler has proven that he knows how to win, and we’re excited to take the next step with him.”"

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Ankrum made his first two career Truck Series starts this past season, and he did driving the #17 Toyota. He drove in the round of 6 playoff races at Martinsville Speedway and ISM Raceway. After starting the race at Martinsville Speedway in 19th place, he finished it in 18th, and after starting the race at ISM Raceway in 15th, he finished in sixth.

In his 2018 K&N Pro Series East championship-winning season, Ankrum earned four victories, nine top five finishes, 12 top 10 finishes and one pole position behind the wheel of the #17 DGR-Crosley Toyota.

Ankrum did not finish a K&N Pro Series East race in a position lower than 13th place in the 2018 season, and he recorded an average starting position of 6.3 and an average finishing position of 4.8. He led 299 of the 1,602 laps that he completed, and he only failed to complete 13 of the season’s 1,615 laps.

How will Tyler Ankrum perform in his first season as a full-time NASCAR Truck Series driver driving for DGR-Crosley in 2019? How many, if any, races will he win, and where will he finish in the championship standings? His season is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, March 23, 2019 with the Martinsville 250 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.