Christian Eckes grabs a dramatic NASCAR Truck Sequence victory at Martinsville Speedway on Friday night time within the Zip Purchase Now, Pay Later 200.
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Christian Eckes wasn’t about to lose a race he had dominated, even when it meant utilizing the entrance bumper on his No. 19 Chevrolet—twice.
After a restart with 5 laps left in Friday night time’s Zip Purchase Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Eckes first moved the Toyota of Taylor Grey after which the Ford of Ben Rhodes—each of which have been rolling on 40-lap brisker tires—to win the race and earn a spot within the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Sequence’ Championship 4 Race.
Six-time winner Corey Heim ran seventh and Ty Majeski got here dwelling eleventh, as each earned berths within the Championship 4 on factors, eliminating Grey, Nick Sanchez, Tyler Ankrum, and Rajah Caruth within the last occasion of the Playoffs’ Spherical of 8. Christian Eckes joins Grant Enfinger with Championship 4 berths based mostly on wins within the Spherical of 8.
After the restart on lap 196 of 200, Grey used his higher tires to squeeze previous Eckes to the within. Eckes regained the highest spot by transferring Grey up the observe. A lap later, Rhodes handed Eckes, who accomplished the fourth lead change within the last 5 laps by shoving the No. 99 Ford on lap 198.
Freed from his rivals, Eckes crossed the end line two laps later, 1.191 seconds forward of Rhodes. Chase Purdy and Grey have been third and fourth, adopted by Sanchez.
“Like I instructed all people, I wasn’t going to lose this race—this truck was too good,” Eckes mentioned. “The 17 (Grey) was arduous racing. I really feel unhealthy concerning the 99 (Rhodes). I simply received approach too free coming into the nook.
“(Listening to boos from the group). All people’s actually proud of me—however I don’t actually care. I’m pleased with all people for working arduous, and we’re going to Phoenix.”
The victory was Eckes’ fourth of the season, his second at Martinsville, and the ninth of his profession, but it surely got here with a value.
Taylor Grey Misses His Likelihood at a Title
After climbing from his truck, Grey angrily walked towards Eckes and expressed displeasure on the transfer that eradicated his hopes of racing for a title at Phoenix.
A victory would have landed Grey within the Championship 4 on the expense of Majeski, who as a substitute claimed the final spot by 28 factors over Grey.
“I received despatched to the fence after I raced him completely clear in (turns) one and two,” Grey mentioned. “What goes round comes round. I’ve to race him subsequent 12 months all 12 months lengthy (when each transfer as much as the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence).
“The 19 (Eckes) was the category of the sector, proper? But it surely’s not my fault we had higher technique than he did. We got here out on tires; we drove by means of the sector and we drove to him. I raced him clear, and he drove me within the fence. I assume the one factor I may have carried out is wreck him like he wrecked me.”
Eckes swept the primary two levels, his series-best tenth and eleventh of the season, and led 187 of the 200 laps. He held a considerable lead earlier than a six-car accident within the second activate lap 190 precipitated the sixth and last warning and arrange a frantic end.
For sensible functions, Grey, Sanchez, Ankrum, and Caruth entered the race in must-win conditions. Ankrum completed eighth, and Caruth got here dwelling thirty first after shedding 21 laps within the storage as his crew repaired a brake challenge on his No. 71 Chevrolet.
Regardless of ending third in every of the primary two levels, Sanchez was 39 factors out of a Championship 4 place when the race ended.
Eckes, Heim, Majeski, and Enfinger will race for the title subsequent Friday, November eighth at Phoenix Raceway. The season finale for the NASCAR Truck Sequence begins at 8 p.m. ET with protection of the Championship 4 race on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The McAnally Hilgeman Racing driver of the No 19 Toyota, Christian Eckes received this race and the championship in 2023.
