Kris Wright Bio
Kristofer Cole Wright (born July 17, 1994) is an American professional stock car racing driver known for his versatility across multiple racing disciplines. He has competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and ARCA Menards Series East, driving for teams such as McAnally–Hilgemann Racing and Venturini Motorsports. Wright is also the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class champion, highlighting his success in sports car racing.
Early Life and Background
Kris Wright was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was also a racing driver but encouraged Wright to pursue golf during his youth. Wright graduated from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh in 2013 and was a member of the golf teams at IMG Academy and Robert Morris University. He also competed in long drive golf competitions, qualifying for the district championship of the Remax World Long Drive Championship in 2014.
Path to NASCAR
Wright transitioned to stock car racing in 2020, beginning with the ARCA Menards Series West at Utah Motorsports Campus where he earned strong finishes of second and third. He quickly moved into NASCAR’s national series, joining GMS Racing for part-time campaigns in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Truck Series. His early NASCAR career included racing for Young’s Motorsports and Sam Hunt Racing, gaining experience on both oval and road course tracks.
Kris Wright Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Wright began his racing career in sports car competition, joining Kinetic Motorsports in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car A class in 2015 and earning his first podium at Miller Motorsports Park. In 2017, he competed in the IMSA Prototype Challenge with JDC MotorSports, winning Rookie of the Year honors and finishing second in the standings with a victory at Watkins Glen. The following year, Wright won the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class championship with Extreme Speed Motorsports, securing multiple wins and podium finishes.
Open-Wheel and Euroformula Experience (2017–2020)
Wright expanded his racing resume by competing in open-wheel series, starting with the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2017. He progressed to the Pro Mazda Championship later that year, achieving a best finish of fifth at Watkins Glen. In 2019, Wright raced in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports, finishing sixteenth in points. He continued with Fortec in the Euroformula Open Championship in 2020, although the season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stock Car Racing Breakthrough (2020–Present)
Wright made his stock car racing debut in 2020, quickly establishing himself with strong performances in ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series events. He joined Young’s Motorsports for a full Truck Series season in 2021 and also competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as a road course specialist. In 2022, Wright signed with Niece Motorsports for a full Truck Series season before moving to Brandonbilt Motorsports for the remainder of the Xfinity Series season. In 2023, he returned to Young’s Motorsports in the Truck Series but parted ways mid-season. Wright is set to compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2024 with Venturini Motorsports and has plans to race part-time in the Truck Series with McAnally–Hilgemann Racing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kris Wright is recognized for his adaptability across different racing formats, excelling on road courses and ovals alike. His background in sports cars and open-wheel racing contributes to his strong racecraft and technical feedback. Wright’s strategic approach and ability to work with various teams have been key to his progression in NASCAR’s competitive environment.
Notable Races and Milestones
Wright’s career highlights include winning the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class championship and achieving podium finishes in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona. His NASCAR milestones include competitive runs in ARCA and the Truck Series, with notable top finishes early in his stock car career at Utah Motorsports Campus and Michigan International Speedway.
Kris Wright Career Wins
Throughout his career, Kris Wright has secured multiple wins in sports car racing, including the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class championship in 2018. While his stock car racing wins are still forthcoming, he has demonstrated consistent top finishes and competitiveness across ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series events.
IMSA Prototype Challenge Highlights
Wright’s most significant victories came during the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge season, where he won races at Barber Motorsports Park and Virginia International Raceway. His consistent podium finishes throughout the season led to him capturing the LMP3 class championship.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his IMSA success, Wright earned a podium finish in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car A class in 2015 and finished second in the LMP2 class at the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona with Performance Tech Motorsports.
Kris Wright Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kris Wright’s father was involved in racing, providing early exposure to motorsports despite encouraging Wright to pursue golf initially. This family connection laid the foundation for Wright’s eventual transition to professional racing.
Personal Life
Details about Wright’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms where he engages with fans and shares updates about his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to 2025, Kris Wright is set to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Our Motorsports. This opportunity represents a significant step in his career as he aims to establish himself as a consistent contender in the series. Wright’s experience across multiple racing disciplines and teams will be critical as he adapts to the demands of a full Xfinity Series schedule. Additionally, he plans to participate part-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Venturini Motorsports and selected Truck Series events with McAnally–Hilgemann Racing, showcasing his continued versatility and commitment to growth in stock car racing.
