Christian Eckes Tag

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service Ross Chastain made it look easy on Saturday at Pocono Raceway, but the battle for Playoff spots intensified dramatically in the Gander RV 150 at the 2.5-mile triangular track. Pitting early near the end of Stage 2 in the 60-lap NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race, Chastain regained the lead on Lap 33 and held it the rest of the way, beating surging 18-year-old Tyler Ankrum to the finish line by 1.007 seconds. Stage 2 winner Harrison Burton charged from 10th to third during the closingRead More

Charlie Krall, ARCA Communications Manager Christian Eckes (No. 15 JBL Audio Toyota) took over the lead when most of the other lead lap cars pitted late in the race and held off two furious charges, first from teammate Logan Seavey and then from eventual runner up Sheldon Creed, to score his second ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards win of 2018 in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fair. Eckes nipped Creed at the line by 0.305 seconds on a two-lap overtime dash to the checkered flag. Eckes and crewRead More

By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer MADISON, Ill. — Grant Enfinger turned a lap at 138.867 mph in the final round of knockout qualifying to earn the pole award for Saturday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Gateway Motorsports Park. The top spot was the second of Enfinger’s career, his first since 2016 and his first on a non-restrictor plate track. Christian Eckes, making his second Truck Series start, will roll off second in the No. 46 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota. Eckes has an ARCA Racing Series win this seasonRead More

By Aaron Bearden, Open Wheel Editor MADISON, Ill. — Christian Eckes was the only driver capable of keeping pace with Sheldon Creed throughout a challenging night at Gateway Motorsports Park. But after contact with Creed on the race’s final restart, Eckes found himself mired in traffic. He could only watch on as the ARCA Racing Series points leader drove off to a dominant win in the PapaNicholas Coffee 150. Eckes was battling Creed for the top spot in the high lane on a Lap 79 restart when light contact betweenRead More

By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer MADISON, Ill. — Sheldon Creed earned the General Tire Pole Award for Friday night’s ARCA Racing Series Papa Nicholas 150 at Gateway Motorsports Park. The top starting position was the second of his career in his 27th start. Creed’s lap on the repaved track shattered the previous ARCA qualifying record, set by Tim Steele (33.646 seconds, 133.745 mph) in 2001. Creed leads the championship standings by 55 points over his MDM Motorsports teammate Zane Smith and picks up an additional five championship points from his qualifying effort.Read More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer For the 10th race of the season, the series visits the unique 1.250-mile Gateway Motorsports Park for the Villa Lighting Delivers the Eaton 200. Teams using the NT1 Spec Engine versus those using OEM engines, drivers making their debuts, no Cup drivers, and stage racing are just some of the storylines heading into the seventh race of the season at Iowa. Coverage for the Villa Lighting Delivers the Eaton 200 is scheduled to start Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET. Gateway has been on the Truck SeriesRead More

By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer NEWTON, Iowa — After taking the checkered flag in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series M&M’s 200 at Iowa Speedway, Christian Eckes climbed from his No. 46 Toyota and immediately sat down beside the truck. Saying it was hot on Friday in Iowa would be an understatement and temperatures inside the truck were well into the triple digits. Eckes was provided water and Gatorade by his Kyle Busch Motorsports teammates as well as NASCAR officials. After several minutes, Eckes rose and headed back toRead More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regulars have won six of the eight races so far in the 2018 season. For the ninth race of the season, the series visits 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway for the M&M’s 200. Teams using the NT1 Spec Engine versus those using OEM engines, no Cup drivers, and stage racing are just some of the storylines heading into the seventh race of the season at Iowa. Coverage for the M&M’s 200 is scheduled to start Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. ET. Iowa hasRead More

By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer The last time Christian Eckes made a start in the ARCA Racing Series, it was one to remember for the teenage driver as he got the infamous kiss from Big Bill Venturini in victory lane. Eckes put on a dominating performance at Salem Speedway four weeks ago, battling teammate Chandler Smith down to the last lap to earn the first checkered flag of his ARCA career in his 16th start. The 17-year-old driver is running 13 of the 20 races this season, so he wasn’t inRead More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer Kyle Busch Motorsports has added another up-and-coming driver to their line-up, Christian Eckes. The 17-year-old has been competing part-time in the ARCA Racing Series, where he won for the first time in dramatic fashion at Salem Speedway. Eckes will drive the No. 46 Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Iowa Speedway on June 16. He will return to the truck at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 23, and ISM Raceway on November 9. Eckes will also compete atRead More