December 1, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Hattori Racing expands with the addition of Tyler Ankrum to truck roster

NASHVILLE—Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) is doubling its effort in the Camping World Truck Series for 2022.

On the heels of naming Chase Purdy the driver of the No. 61 Toyota Tundra, Hattori announced Tyler Ankrum will pilot a second entry in the No. 16 LiUNA! truck.

The 20-year-old San Bernadino, Californian is coming off of his third season of NASCAR truck competition. Veteran crew chief Scott Zipadelli will oversee the effort for Ankrum.

“This is a great opportunity to join a tight-knit team with a really strong foundation,” Ankrum said. “I couldn’t be more excited to join HRE and return to the Toyota family. To be able to work with Scott Zipadelli and his team on the LIUNA Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is a big opportunity for me.

“I want to get back to victory lane, be a threat in the playoffs, and continue this team’s winning ways. I think we can do that together and I’m looking forward to putting in the work to make that happen.”

Ankrum has posted one win, nine top fives and 24 top 10s in 67-career starts. His victory came at Kentucky Speedway in 2019. In a limited qualifying opportunity, Ankrum grabbed the pole for the inaugural truck race at Circuit of the Americas in May.

“Tyler has been through the playoffs and has a lot of Camping World Trucks experience,” team owner Shige Hattori said. “Scott (Zipadelli) and our entire team have been successful the last several years and we’re looking forward to seeing Tyler rejoin team Toyota. We want to get him back to victory lane and be a strong playoff contender.”