Christian Eckes in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Celsius Energy Chevrolet during Saturday’s Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
DEL VALLE, Texas – Through a brutally hot day and setback after setback, Kaulig Racing rookie Christian Eckes survived to nab a fifth-place finish in his first NASCAR XFINITY Series appearance at Circuit of the Americas.
His day began lining up to start the Focused Health 250 in the 10th position and he hovered in the top 10 throughout the duration of Stage 1. Eckes was aggressive, but respectful, as he raced Sammy Smith hard for the ninth position. Neither car was punted off the track, but it was clear that Eckes’ No. 16 Chevrolet was taking a beating while fighting for position.
By the end of Stage 1, which occurred under caution, Eckes had made his way up to seventh. He came down pit road during the stage break along with the majority of the field and cycled out to restart 20th behind many drivers who had pitted under green.
Unfortunately, NASCAR issued a penalty against Eckes for speeding on pit road, forcing him to restart at the tail end of the field for Stage 2.
Unlike race-favorite Connor Zilisch, who also had to start at the back of the field following a pit road penalty, Eckes did not make huge strides towards the front in Stage 2. With four laps to go in the stage, he had only made his way up to 20th.
Christian Eckes racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
Eckes hit pit road under green before the end of Stage 2 and after the rest of the field had pitted, found himself restarting 12th in the outside lane. He was in the perfect position to watch Zilisch’s aggressive charge towards the front and take advantage of the mistakes that were made. When Zilisch and Corey Heim collided on Lap 45, Eckes shot his way up to ninth and never left the top 10 for the remainder of the race.
Despite the No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet looking like it just came out of a trash compactor, the car seemed to come to life in the closing laps of the race, just like it did when AJ Allmendinger raced to a top 10 finish at COTA last year.
His final move of the day was running Taylor Gray wide in Turn 20 and making the pass for fifth place; a hard-fought, but relieving finish.
Christian Eckes and Taylor Gray battling for position towards the end of the Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
When asked how important it was to have Allmendinger advising him throughout his maiden XFINITY road course weekend, Eckes did not hesitate to sing his praises, as well as his crew’s.
“A ton. He was extremely crucial in us not only finishing in the top five but finishing in the top 10. Great pit strategy by Alex as well to get us back. Good day, for sure.”
Eckes and the No. 16 Kaulig Racing team now look ahead to Phoenix Raceway next weekend. While Allmendinger did not have a very successful run in the fall race there last year, Eckes is determined to turn things around.
“We’ve been working really hard on Phoenix as well, so excited to see if we can make any gains there. The 16 didn’t do very well in the fall race there.”
Editor’s Notes
Rob Tiongson contributed to this article onsite from Circuit of the Americas in Del Valle, Texas.
