Impressive Run for Christian Eckes Ends in Heartbreak

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In: NASCAR Truck Series News
In just his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start, Christian Eckes showcased his driving abilities leading 34 laps and winning the second stage of Saturday’s Eaton 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park. Unfortunately, the talented teenager got wrecked while running fourth just seven laps into the Final Stage of the event and sustained major damage to this Mobil 1 Tundra. The talented teenager would end the night in the garage with a disappointing 28th-place finish.
 
Stage One Recap: 
  • Eckes posted the second fastest time in Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session. In the early stages of the race, he would swap spots with teammate Noah Gragson, who started third, before settling into the fourth position on lap 3.
  • He had moved back up one spot to the third position when the first caution of the race occurred on lap 22. With the No. 46 team running a limited schedule and not focused on stage points, Crew chief Cody Glick elected to pit for left-side tires in an effort to gain track position for Stage Two.
  • The Mobil 1 Tundra would restart 12th with eight laps remaining in the stage and was able to gain five positions before the second caution of the race occurred on lap 34 ending Stage One. 
 
Stage Two Recap: 
  • Having pitted already, Eckes inherited the lead when the top-six trucks turned down pit road when it opened. Stage Two went green on lap 41 and the talented teenager slowly began to pull away from the field. He had opened up over a two-second lead on Johnny Sauter when a stalled truck brought out the caution with four laps remaining in the stage. The stage would end under caution, giving the New York native the first stage victory of his young career..
Final Stage Recap: 
  • When pit road opened, Glick summoned his young driver to pit road for fresh left-side tires and a full tank of fuel. Eckes would be the second truck off pit road and line up next to teammate Noah Gragson for the start of the Final Stage.
  • Eckes did a 360-degree spin trying to avoid contact with the wall but ended up slamming rear end first into the outside of Turn 2. He was able to drive his Toyota to pit road, but the damage was too severe to continue.

KBM PR

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