MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Christian Eckes led a parade of playoff drivers who grabbed the top four qualifying spots for Friday night’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
Eckes drove his McAnally-Hilgeman Chevrolet to a lap of 19.556 seconds (96.830) mph to claim the pole for the penultimate race of the season that will determine the final three drivers, who will join Grant Enfinger in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 8.
It was Eckes fourth pole of the season and the 10th of his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career.
Sharing the front row with Eckes is ThorSport Racing Ford driver Ty Majeski, who was a tick slower at 19.561 seconds on the .526-mile race track.
Toyota driver Taylor Gray and Chevrolet mounted Nick Sanchez will share row two.
Layne Riggs was the top qualifying non-playoff driver, putting his Ford fifth on the grid.
The remaining playoff drivers — Corey Heim, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum and Grant Enfinger — will start seventh, 11th, 18th and 33rd, respectively.