When it was announced Aug. 31 that Christian Eckes will take over the No. 16 for Kaulig Racing next season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it was with subdued fanfare. Yet Eckes brings more to the table than may initially meet the eye.
Team owner Matt Kaulig was not present for the press conference that featured Eckes along with team president Chris Rice. Eight days earlier, a similar announcement was made confirming that Daniel Dye will drive another full-time Xfinity car for the team in 2025.
Eckes and Dye will team up with returning veteran Josh Williams to complete Kaulig’s Xfinity driver lineup next season. The 23-year-old Eckes figures to slot into the lead driver role for the team.
Eckes has been on a tear this season driving in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. The Middletown, N.Y., native has finished top 10 in all but one event, way back at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the second race of the season. He earned the regular season championship despite other drivers seemingly getting more attention.
When this conversation occurred at the Milwaukee Mile, the Kaulig announcement hadn’t been made yet, but speculation was high that it was forthcoming. Frontstretch caught up with Eckes and talked about his season, the ups and downs of his young career, rough driving and more.
Steve Leffew, Frontstretch: You’re having one heck of a season. I went back and looked at the stat sheet, I didn’t realize how good it’s been, 15 top 10s. I don’t know if you know this, but you’re 10 laps away from leading more laps this season than you have in your entire career combined. What’s the big secret ingredient or big difference compared to last year that has led to this success?
Christian Eckes: I think just having another year to build here. If you look back at my career, I’ve never had a full-time season back to back with the same team, and this is the first opportunity that I’ve been able to do that. So I feel like it just has a lot to do with that — just being with the same crew chief and spotter, same core group of people here and being able to build year to year.
Leffew: Another stat, just so you know. Thirty-one percent of the laps you’ve completed this year, you led. Has it hit you how well you’ve been running?
Eckes: I wouldn’t say so. I don’t really try to pay too much, you know, I’m just focused on each week, being the best I can, trying to get our team the best that…
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