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 …
You're looking at the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion. 😏 pic.twitter.com/iXH70ZUsT4
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 2, 2024
Eckes earned his first trip to Championship 4 with hard, end-of-race driving …
He was not giving up this win. @christianeckes wins and locks himself into the #Championship4! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/JXBQWHiGNE
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 2, 2024
At the green flag, Eckes started where he finished – at the front …
WE ARE GREEN!
Ready to see who locks in their spot in the #Championship4 🙌 #ZIP200 pic.twitter.com/yKYA8JJKGD
— Martinsville Speedway (@MartinsvilleSwy) November 1, 2024
Not happy, Taylor Gray confronted Eckes for the way he compiled all his accomplishments Friday. Gray vowed to get back at his competitor …
Taylor Gray walked down Martinsville's pit road to confront Christian Eckes in victory lane after the Truck Series race. After the two exchanged words, Gray walked away. pic.twitter.com/zzKgub9I6k
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) November 2, 2024
Gray’s post-race frustrations started during the cool-down lap …
Taylor Gray not happy with Christian Eckes after that finish pic.twitter.com/yxoCXa4nGM
— BrakeHard (@BrakeHardBlog) November 1, 2024
Unlike Gray, Rhodes accepted the aggressive racing at the end …
Ben Rhodes wasn’t upset with any of the rough contact at the end of Martinsville: pic.twitter.com/jp6QDLWrqs
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 2, 2024
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 …
Lots of contact and the No. 52 is around! pic.twitter.com/pFWtjPAGUd
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 1, 2024
With fresh tires, Gray appeared to have one of the field’s strongest Stage 3 trucks …
Here comes the No. 17! He has the freshest tires and is tracking down the leader. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TMexTI4nMm
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 1, 2024
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 …
Somewhat overshadowed by the way that race ended was Dean Thompson basically cleaning out his own teammate in Tanner Gray. I was initially camped out by Dean's truck before everything went down with Taylor Gray.
Might be an awkward team meeting this week at TRICON. pic.twitter.com/7POPuXbYts
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 2, 2024
Eckes could be primed to lead the pack in Phoenix …
His great 2024 campaign continues!@christianeckes has now led over 1,000 laps this season. That is the first driver since @KyleBusch in 2010. pic.twitter.com/L2BtFGgQux
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 1, 2024
With Friday night’s dominant win, Eckes is now biding his time before going after his first circuit title in Phoenix …
A moment you will never forget, @christianeckes 😤 pic.twitter.com/cAz60z3UMP
— Martinsville Speedway (@MartinsvilleSwy) November 2, 2024
