By Roy J. Akers – www.skyviewsports.net
Hampton, Ga. — Christian Eckes is making his bones as a first-year Xfinity driver for the Kaulig Racing team. A multiple time winner in both the Arca Menard’s and Craftsman Truck series, the Kaulig Racing Team is a prime opportunity for Eckes to showcase his talents and perhaps grow with the team in the Cup series. Eckes gives us five minutes and talks about his 2025 season, Echo Park Speedway and Kaulig Racing.
From Kaulig Racing
| No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet Start: 17thStage 1 Finish: —Stage 2 Finish: 26thFinish: 19thOn lap four, Christian Eckes was involved in a wreck that caused severe damage to the right front and rear bumper of the No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet. He pitted several times under caution, as the team fixed the damage, keeping Eckes on the lead lap. He restarted in 33rd on lap 15 and was back in the top 20 by lap 23. The caution flag came back out on lap 34 for weather, and the field was red flagged. When the yellow flag reappeared, Eckes did not pit, while the majority of cars ahead of him pitted. He restarted in ninth with five laps remaining in Stage 1, but a wreck on the restart brought the caution back out. Eckes was trapped between two cars, damaging the No. 16 even further, as the stage finished under caution. During the stage break, Eckes pitted multiple times for repairs and received a penalty for too many crew members over the wall. He was held for two laps, restarting from 27th place. Eckes sat in 26th and in the free-pass position when the caution flag came back out on lap 80, giving him one lap back. The field went back to green with four laps remaining in the stage but did not complete a lap before the next caution came out. Eckes steered clear of the wreck, once again sitting in the free-pass position. He was scored 26th, as the second stage ended under caution. Eckes pitted during the stage break for his final set of sticker tires and started the final stage back on the lead lap in 22nd place. Crew chief Alex Yontz reminded Eckes to be mindful of the damage but to “get what he can,” and Eckes did just that, maintaining position when a debris caution came out with 12 to go. Deciding it would be beneficial to make an adjustment, Eckes pitted for a chassis adjustment before restarting in 22nd with seven laps to go. After a trying day, he fought back with a 19th-place finish. |
 “It was an adversity-filled race that really showed the grit of this No. 16 team. A misjudgment on my part gave us some damage and set us back early. Fortunately, some luck fell our way, and we were able to catch a little bit of a break to get back on the lead lap. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at one point, but I couldn’t be more proud of this team to claw our way back.”– Christian Eckes |
