NASCAR

NASCAR Truck Series Fans React To Greedy Christian Eckes Amassing Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 Treasures At Martinsville Speedway

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published2 hours ago on November 01, 2024

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truck christian eckes pit stop (1)

Christian Eckes was a bit greedy Friday at Martinsville Speedway.  

Not only did the NASCAR Truck Series driver capture the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 race at night, but he earned the pole position in the afternoon and cradled the bulk of the evening bonus points with wins in both stages. He even topped the field during the mid-morning practice round. 

Eckes won all elements of the series’ Round of 8 finale, qualifying for next week’s Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway. He did so by not allowing anyone to take what he wanted. With two rotations remaining in the Round of 8 finale, Eckes bumped aside Ben Rhodes for the lead. 

Eckes ended up leading 187 of 2oo laps and battled through Stage 3 chaos, clinching his third win of the season. He wanted – and got – it all. And Eckes didn’t care who he ran over to get it.

X (Twitter) users responded to the Truck Series’ final four: Eckes, Grant Enfinger, Corey Heim and Ty Majeski … 

Eckes earned his first trip to Championship 4 with hard, end-of-race driving … 

At the green flag, Eckes started where he finished – at the front … 

Not happy, Taylor Gray confronted Eckes for the way he compiled all his accomplishments Friday. Gray vowed to get back at his competitor …  

Gray’s post-race frustrations started during the cool-down lap … 

Unlike Gray, Rhodes accepted the aggressive racing at the end … 

The ending was set up when Stewart Friesen (52), who placed P10, spun out on Lap 190 while racing for sixth place, Chase Purdy, who ended up P3, collided with Enfinger, who took out Friesen …  

With fresh tires, Gray appeared to have one of the field’s strongest Stage 3 trucks … 

The TRICON Garage Monday morning meeting could be a bit awkward. Dean Thompson took out teammate Tanner Gray along Turn 3 with 19 laps to go … 

Eckes could be primed to lead the pack in Phoenix …

With Friday night’s dominant win, Eckes is now biding his time before going after his first circuit title in Phoenix …