Eckes’ Atlanta Afternoon Ends Early

Venue: EchoPark Speedway

FINISH: 36th

Start: 15th

Laps Led: 0

Points Position: 10th

Christian Eckes returned to EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Ga. as one of the favorites for the second round of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (NCTS) season. However, the driver of the No. 91 NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet Silverado RST was credited with a 36th-place finish after suffering a broken driveshaft on the second lap.

Eckes clocked in 15th-quickest in Friday afternoon’s qualifying session, tucked in behind MHR teammate and NAPA brethren Daniel Hemric. After the duo worked the bottom lane on the opening lap, Eckes pulled to the apron on lap two with a broken drive shaft and also lost third and fourth gears. Despite the early exit, Eckes is 10th in the NCTS standings entering next week’s inaugural event on the St. Petersburg, Fla. street circuit.

Christian Eckes Quote:

“Unfortunate to say the least. This obviously cost us a lot of points and we need to focus on responding at St. Pete next week and put NAPA Nightvision, NAPA Auto Care, Gates Hydraulics up front again and get back at it. Hopefully we can move on from this and be better in the next few weeks.”