Trackin’ Trucks: Christian Eckes Wins at Darlington
Christian Eckes earned his second victory of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season at Darlington Raceway.
Eckes, who led 82 of the 158 laps, fought through double overtime on Friday night to earn the win.
“I don’t really feel that excited, because the truck was so good it drove itself,” said Eckes. “It’s been a really, really rough couple of weeks.
“To come back and win shows the resilience of this team, and how we had to win it just shows the fight in this team … I was really determined. It’s really, really fun to be here, man, and when you have a truck like this, you’ve just got to finish it out.”
Eckes had battled between 30th place finishes and 15th place finishes for the last five weeks, before securing the win at the Lady In Black.
Stewart Friesen finished second, Tanner Gray finished third, while William Byron and Carson Hocevar rounded out the top five.
Rajah Caruth finished sixth, Bubba Wallace seventh, while Corey Heim, Dean Thompson, Kaden Honeycutt, and Nick Sanchez finished eighth through 10th place, respectively.
The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 went into overtime after Timmy Hill spun going into Turn 4.
On the first attempt, rookie Jake Garcia smacked the outside wall, while Grant Enfinger’s wall contact brought out the final caution that ended the night.
A Look Ahead
The Craftsman Truck Series head to North Wilkesboro Speedway next Saturday, May 20th
Reigning series champion Zane Smith retained the series lead by nine points over Ty Majeski. Smith was part of a three-car accident on Lap 101 and finished 22nd, while Majeski finished 31st after having to change a steering wheel box.
Reviewed by Courtney Horn
on
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Rating:
