Shell's natgas-powered Starship headed back to INDYCAR circuit

Trucking news and briefs for Monday, March 2, 2026:

Shell Starship, INDYCAR renew partnership

Shell Starship joined the series last year following the Indianapolis 500 and became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. For the 2026 season, the anticipated plans for Starship are to increase the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season.

Shell's Starship tractor will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES fleet for the 2026 season, serving as the primary transport for the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer.

Building on its 2025 debut—where it became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck in a national racing series—the 2026 program aims to increase the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The vehicle is powered by a Cummins X15N natural gas engine and optimized with Shell Rotella lubricants, proving the viability of combining advanced aerodynamics with renewable fuel sources.

The return is backed by verified data from the 2025 season, monitored by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE):

• Distance: Logged 4,854 miles with a gross vehicle weight of 73,080 lbs.
• Efficiency: Achieved approximately 17 ton-miles per kg of $CO_2e$ 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).

Averitt names new VP of sales

Averitt has promoted Randy McCorkle (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) 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. McCorkle also served as service center director in Bowling Green, director of corporate business development, and, recently, as the 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.”