The natural gas conversation is not slowing down, and one high-profile example is rolling back into the spotlight this season.
After making history in 2025, Shell’s Starship tractor is returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES fleet for 2026. The truck will again serve as the primary transport for the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer, putting a Class 8 natural-gas unit back in one of the most visible racing environments in North America.
Last year, following the Indianapolis 500, Starship became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. That milestone alone turned heads across trucking, especially among drivers and fleets watching fuel diversification trends.
For 2026, the focus shifts from proof of concept to fuel mix. Plans call for increasing the use of Renewable Natural Gas compared to the 2025 season, building on the data collected during its debut run.
Under the hood, the tractor runs a Cummins X15N natural gas engine and is optimized with Shell Rotella lubricants. The combination highlights what many fleets are evaluating right now: pairing advanced aerodynamics with lower carbon fuel options while maintaining real-world performance.
The 2025 season results were tracked and verified by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, giving the program measurable credibility instead of marketing claims.
Here is what the numbers showed:
- Distance: Logged 4,854 miles with a gross vehicle weight of 73,080 lbs.
- Efficiency: Achieved approximately 17 ton-miles per kg of CO2e emitted.
- Impact: Delivered a carbon efficiency approximately 20% higher than the 2022 U.S. average for diesel-powered Class 8 trucks based on tailpipe emissions.
For drivers and industry stakeholders, those metrics matter more than headlines. They show how an alternative fuel platform performs under load, at weight, and across real miles, not just on a test track.
Leadership Move at Averitt
In other industry news, Averitt has promoted Randy McCorkle to vice president of sales for the Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma area. He succeeds Jeff Edwards, who was promoted to vice president of truckload sales late last year.
McCorkle began his career with Averitt in 1994 as a part-time associate in Bowling Green while attending Western Kentucky University. Two years later, he was promoted to frontline leader, supporting both outbound and inbound operations before moving into a sales role in 2003. Over the years, he also served as service center director in Bowling Green, director of corporate business development, and, most recently, as director of Dedicated Sales.
“Randy’s career reflects both his leadership ability and our commitment to developing talent from within,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “His experience across operations and sales gives him a strong understanding of how our network works together to support customers, and we’re confident he’s ready to lead this area forward.”
From alternative fuels on a national racing stage to long-term career growth inside established carriers, this week’s updates reflect an industry balancing innovation with proven experience.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
