Tristan McKee, signed as the first member of Spire Motorsports’ driver development program, is scheduled to make his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2025, competing in two key races. Just five days after turning 15—the minimum age to race in a national ARCA Menards Series event—McKee will take the wheel of Spire’s No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet SS at Watkins Glen International in New York on August 8. He is also set to return to the same car for the ARCA Menards Series West season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November. This advancement marks a significant step in McKee’s racing career as he prepares to take on national-level competition.
Spire Motorsports Expresses Confidence in McKee’s Potential
Bill Anthony, president of Spire Motorsports, praised McKee’s rare talents and dedication, emphasizing the excitement within the organization to support his ARCA Menards Series journey. Anthony said,
“Tristan McKee is one of those rare young drivers who makes you lean in and pay attention,”
and added,
“He’s shown talent, maturity, and the kind of work ethic that earns respect across our organization. We’re excited to get him some seat time in the ARCA Menards Series and let him grow at the right pace. Watkins Glen and Phoenix will be great tests, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in Spire colors.”
These remarks underscore the high expectations and belief in McKee’s ability to quickly acclimate to the ARCA racing landscape.
McKee’s Road Course Skills Bolstered by Success in Trans Am Series
Currently, McKee competes full-time in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli CUBE 3 Architecture TA 2 Series, where he leads the championship standings by an impressive 82 points. Across the season, he has secured one pole position, two victories, and six podium finishes. Notably, he won his first career race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June and recently dominated at Watkins Glen International, setting a track record and leading from start to finish to claim his second win. These achievements demonstrate his proficiency on road courses, which will surely benefit him in his upcoming ARCA debut at Watkins Glen.
McKee shared his enthusiasm for starting his ARCA career on a road course, saying,
“I’m super excited for my debut to be on a road course,”
and explained,
“I’ve been doing a lot of road course stuff through the Trans Am Series. We were just at Watkins Glen a couple weeks ago with the series and got the win, so I feel comfortable with the track. I had the opportunity to do some testing in the ARCA car, so it helped get me up to speed with the car, but I still have a lot of preparation to do over the next couple weeks in the simulator and my pre-race routine. I’m super thankful to Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge for making this happen and I’m really excited to get on track.”
His confidence and readiness ahead of these challenging events hint at a promising showing.
Early Racing Successes and Development Path of Tristan McKee
McKee’s rapid rise in the racing world began at a young age through karting, where he amassed 44 wins and six class championships. He then progressed to Bandolero racing, capturing the 2020 national championship and other notable titles like the Charlotte Motor Speedway Summer Shootout championship and the Thursday Night Thunder Championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway. At age 11, McKee earned both Rookie of the Year and the championship at Orange County Speedway in North Carolina.
Transitioning to late models, McKee turned heads by becoming the youngest winner in CARS Pro Late Model Tour history at just 12 years old, defeating seasoned veterans in a 100-lap feature at Dillon Motor Speedway. His winning streak continued with victories at North Wilkesboro, Caraway, and Cordele Motor Speedways. Additionally, he secured the checkered flag in the limited late model feature at the 2023 Fall Brawl at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Balancing Multiple Racing Disciplines and Ongoing Growth
Alongside his full-time commitment to the Trans Am Series, McKee has participated in 13 late model events in 2025. Early in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour season, he finished second in the opener and won at the series’ debut event at Cordele Motor Speedway. He also achieved four top-five results in seven starts, including a strong second-place finish at the North Wilkesboro race, which was part of NASCAR’s All-Star festivities in May. Recently, McKee made his Super Late Model debut at the Summer Showdown 200 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, finishing as a runner-up against elite regional competitors at the “Superspeedway of the West.”
Reflecting on the recent season, McKee stated,
“The season has definitely gone really, really good so far,”
adding,
“We have a couple Trans Am wins, lead the points and have a podium in each of the last six races. We haven’t been at all the CARS Tour races, but we have put together a lot of good runs. It has been one of the best years of my career, so far. It is all preparing me to drive different cars because I am doing something nearly every weekend. This is just another discipline for me to learn, grow and become the driver I want to be. I think we will be really strong.”
His dedication to gaining experience across multiple racing formats highlights his determination to refine his driving skills and adapt quickly.
Spire Motorsports’ Continued Involvement in ARCA Racing
Spire Motorsports has fielded entries in the ARCA Menards Series three times during the 2025 season, with Corey Day as their driver. After Day’s early exit due to an incident at Daytona International Speedway’s season opener, he bounced back with two top-10 finishes in ARCA West Series races at Phoenix Raceway and Sonoma Raceway, placing tenth and seventh respectively. McKee’s upcoming participation with Spire Motorsports expands the team’s growing presence in the ARCA Menards Series.
Upcoming ARCA Appearances to Draw Significant Attention
The General Tire 100 at Watkins Glen International on Friday, August 8, will broadcast live on FS2 starting at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, marking the 13th of 20 races on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Fans will also have access to live coverage through the Motor Racing Network and ARCARacing.com. McKee’s debut, particularly at a challenging road course like Watkins Glen, is expected to be a defining moment for the teenager’s career and a preview of his potential impact in stock car racing.
McKee’s progress symbolizes the increasing investment in young talent by organizations such as Spire Motorsports, which nurtures promising drivers toward success in higher levels of motorsports. His upcoming ARCA debuts will provide valuable experience and an opportunity to compete against more seasoned drivers, further accelerating his journey in professional racing.