NASCAR Truck Series Fans Watch Christian Eckes Find Redemption During Weather Guard Truck Race At Bristol Motor Speedway
Christian Eckes departed Bristol Motor Speedway heartbroken during the playoffs last season, losing a late lead to eventual NASCAR Truck Series champion Corey Heim.
Eckes left Bristol Saturday night with the Weather Guard Truck Race trophy.
Before the engines were ignited, Eckes reflected on his previous performance at Bristol, failing to hold off Heim with five laps to go.
On Saturday, Eckes held off future Hall of Fame Kyle Busch to achieve the No. 19 Chevrolet’s “No. 1 goal … redeem ourselves,” Eckes told Fox Sports. “There is a lot behind this win. I talked about it earlier.
“Coming back to redeem ourselves … it’s so sweet.”
Eckes and Busch dominated Saturday’s event. Starting from the pole, Eckes led 144 laps; Busch, who swept the stages, 105.
Zane Smith was the only other driver to lead a lap. He had one.
X (Twitter) users responded to Eckes beating Busch off the restart with 23 laps to go and held off the future Hall of Famer late, unlike last fall …
CHRISTIAN ECKES HOLDS OFF KYLE BUSCH TO WIN AT BRISTOL! pic.twitter.com/SK6CTejdTf
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
The day started early for the pit-crew members …
The NASCAR Truck Series garage is open here at Bristol Motor Speedway. #HotPass pic.twitter.com/Jw3ePPfzhw
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 16, 2024
The trucks hit the .533-mile oval track first. Eckes turned the practice session’s fastest rotation at 123.372 mph …
NASCAR Truck Series practice is rolling LIVE on FS1! #NASCARonFS1
Stream it» https://t.co/6U7cNFWsII https://t.co/TbSoKKzi4v pic.twitter.com/M2RdWkNX3K
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 16, 2024
After failing to land a top-five finish during his first three outings this season, Eckes also claimed the pole for Saturday night’s main event …
Talking with @christianeckes after he set the bar in Truck Series practice at Bristol. #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/c29Hy5NKub
— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) March 16, 2024
The long day at Bristol evolved into night. With no one expecting or planning for a green-flag pit stop, the night proved to be a long one for some teams …
We are underway at Bristol! Repost if you're watching #NASCARonFS1. pic.twitter.com/X1AIcul8FV
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
A pack of grand marshals made the call Saturday night …
ENGINES FIRED. Who's your pick to win it tonight? #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/T2xZYLEAyt
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Busch, driving for Spire Motorsports, won the first stage after taking the lead on Lap 53. Busch remained in control and claimed the second stage, as well …
New leader, Rowdy.@KyleBusch | @Group_1001 pic.twitter.com/6wvhtk1frz
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) March 17, 2024
Celebrating “The Last Great Colosseum” …
Just truck vibes. #HotPass pic.twitter.com/msA6ykb4cS
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Near the beginning of the third stage, Ty Majeski got loose and spun out, collecting Ben Rhodes and nearly Matt Crofton, both ThorSport Racing teammates …
Trouble for Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes in Bristol (and a VERY close call for Matt Crafton 👀) https://t.co/kM06pjlna5 pic.twitter.com/gtAWrdsIDm
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Entering Saturday second in the circuit points, Majeski’s machine limped to the garage …
Done for the night in Tennessee. #HotPass https://t.co/NAWefyu5TS pic.twitter.com/Vsa6I5AoHz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Eckes passed Busch on Lap 159 and cruised toward “redemption” …
New leader: ECKES. https://t.co/0oGHtNx4nL pic.twitter.com/D9xMVwV7q5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Nick Sanchez and Stewart Friesen (52) tangle on Lap 219 …
Here's what happened between Nick Sanchez and Stewart Friesen at Bristol: https://t.co/NIYoWbAXyj pic.twitter.com/C7Wr2f1onH
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 17, 2024
Eckes claimed his sixth career trip to Victory Lane, while Busch lost out on his sixth win at Bristol …
🗯️ "Hopefully he enjoyed that hard racing as much as I did."@christianeckes breaks down his winning evening at @ItsBristolBaby and the battle with @KyleBusch for the victory.@BMR_NASCAR | @NASCAR_Trucks
LIVE → https://t.co/5jokqJ2Awj pic.twitter.com/8BAlLsoiQx
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) March 17, 2024
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