Christian Eckes didn’t have a fruitful begin to his NASCAR Xfinity Collection rookie season as he had anticipated. Eckes, who transitioned from a profitable tenure within the Truck Collection, has confronted new challenges within the Xfinity Collection. Nevertheless, he’s studying to enhance his efficiency from current finishes in his rookie Xfinity Collection marketing campaign.
The 24-year-old Eckes drives the #16 Chevrolet SS for Kaulig Racing in his rookie Xfinity season. He has managed to attain solely a top-five and a top-10 end in seven races to this point this season. He has completed exterior the highest 30 within the final two weeks races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.
Forward of Saturday’s Darlington race, Christian Eckes mirrored on the setbacks he has confronted early in his rookie season. Regardless of the powerful begin, the Middletown, New York, native is making a acutely aware effort to remain optimistic by specializing in the positives and selecting to undertake a optimistic mindset, as there are nonetheless loads of races mendacity round in a 33-race schedule.
“There’s been loads of negatives to start out the yr. I’ve been attempting to give attention to the positives. The final two weeks, I felt like we had top-5 racecars. There’s loads of left, so taking a optimistic strategy now” Eckes mentioned, as quoted by Queen Metropolis Information.
Earlier within the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Collection season, Christian Eckes achieved a series-best P5 end at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), showcasing his adaptability on highway programs. Nevertheless, oval tracks have examined his perseverance with finishes, however he’s decided to enhance his efficiency in upcoming occasions.
Christian Eckes optimistic to carry out higher at Darlington
The eighth race of the 2025 Xfinity Collection season is about to kick off at Darlington Raceway, a monitor that requires drivers to race in opposition to the wall. Eckes feels he’s ready at “The Girl in Black,” the monitor the place he received a Truck race in 2023.
Expressing his confidence heading into the 1.366-mile Darlington monitor, Eckes mentioned (by way of Queen Metropolis Information):
“I like Darlington, have a truck win a few years in the past. I’ve really feel on what I wish to do.”
Darlington racetrack is taken into account probably the most troublesome tracks on the schedule, as its distinctive format and abrasive floor are troublesome to take care of for any driver.
Christian Eckes at present sits in twentieth place within the Xfinity Collection factors desk with 133 factors. Catch the New York-born driver in motion on Saturday (April 5) at 3:30 pm ET.