If somebody would’ve told Christian Eckes five years ago he’d still be in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2024, he wouldn’t have believed it.
But everything happens for a reason.
After stints with Kyle Busch Motorsports and ThorSport Racing, Eckes moved to McAnally Hilgemann Racing in 2023 — where he has revived his NASCAR career.
Prior to that move, Eckes was never viewed as a top-tier prospect. Three of his first four seasons were part-time efforts. He won just once in his first 70 starts. Admittedly, he didn’t understand the commitment required to become a high-level driver.
“When I first got to KBM, I don’t think I was necessarily — not ready for that opportunity, but I just didn’t really know what it took at that time,” Eckes told SPEED SPORT. “I worked hard but I don’t think I worked on the right things and didn’t really do a good job of maintaining relationships within the team. There’s just a lot of things you don’t know when you’re that young.
“Coming from ARCA where it’s relatively easy, you step into the national series and race against a lot closer competition. When you go from three ARCA cars that can win to 15 trucks, it’s just a big step. So I don’t necessarily think I was ready for that opportunity at the time.
Eckes ran full time for ThorSport Racing in 2022 and went winless, finishing eighth in the standings. In the offseason, he parted ways with the organization as it switched back to Ford and filled the seat with Hailie Deegan.
After a few phone calls from Bill McAnally, Eckes had a ride for the 2023 season. But more than that, McAnally Hilgemann Racing wanted to frame the blossoming organization around the 23-year-old.
Eckes approached McAnally with a laundry list of ideas and feedback. Those were implemented, and the Middletown, N.Y., native immediately saw success.
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