by -
Eckes takes his second career victory after leading from pole.
-
Nick Sanchez scores a career-best finish of second after being eliminated.
-
John Hunter Nemechek leads the most laps but had to settle for third place.
Christian Eckes ended where he started Saturday’s Fr8 208 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway – with plenty of turmoil in between.
Eckes took his second series victory in overtime, choosing the bottom lane and front row to restart on lap 136 of 137.
After leading the first 30-lap stage of the race, however, Eckes accelerated on pit road and lost track position. He spent the rest of the event working his way back to the front.
In a race that featured a record 11 cautions in 58 laps, the driver of the #19 Chevrolet restarted in 13th on lap 103, but three yellow flags later, he was on the inside of the front row alongside the leader and final runner-up. Nick Sanchez for the overtime restart.
Eckes shot ahead, took the white flag in the lead, and was in the lead when NASCAR called the final race caution for a Turn 4 crash involving Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen, and defending series champion Zane Smith.
“It’s been a tough offseason,” said Eckes, in his first year with owner Bill McAnally after driving for ThorSport Racing in 2022. “I’m riding stronger than ever – I’ve got a lot to prove. People know who they are.
“I’m really happy. Thanks to (team boss) Charles (Denike), everyone on this team. They work so hard. That’s what makes it all worth it. I’m excited. It’s going to be a really good year.”
John Hunter Nemechek ran third after leading a race-high 53 laps to Eckes’ 35. Nemechek had the lead to restart on lap 121, but was dragged back into traffic.
Bayley Currey finished in fourth place, clinching his first top five of the NASCAR national series, and Ben Rhodes came home in fifth place after giving Eckes a much-needed push to the lead.
Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Purdy, Timmy Hill, Matt Crafton and Jack Wood rounded out the top 10.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Fr8 208 race results
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, Georgia
Saturday, March 18, 2023
1. (4) Christian Eckes, Chevrolet, 137.
2. (20) Nick Sanchez #, Chevrolet, 137.
3. (24) John Hunter Nemechek(i), Toyota, 137.
4. (30) Bayley Currey(i), Chevrolet, 137.
5. (3) Ben Rhodes, Ford, 137.
6. (10) Matt DiBenedetto, Chevrolet, 137.
7. (9) Chase Purdy, Chevrolet, 137.
8. (18) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 137.
9. (8) Matt Crafton, Ford, 137.
10. (17) Jack Wood, Chevrolet, 137.
11. (2) Ty Majeski, Ford, 137.
12. (32) Hailie Deegan, Ford, 137.
13. (33) Bret Holmes #, Chevrolet, 137.
14. (35) Ryan Vargas, Toyota, 137.
15. (25) Kris Wright, Chevrolet, 137.
16. (19) Daniel Dye #, Chevrolet, 137.
17. (34) Akinori Ogata, Toyota, 137.
18. (12) Jake Garcia #, Chevrolet, 137.
19. (7) Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, 137.
20. (1) Zane Smith, Ford, 137.
21. (27) Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, 137.
22. (14) Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 137.
23. (28) Josh Reaume, Ford, 137.
24. (11) Tanner Gray, Toyota, 137.
25. (22) Rajah Caruth #, Chevrolet, 137.
26. (13) Tyler Ankrum, Toyota, 136.
27. (15) Colby Howard, Chevrolet, Track Bar, 134.
28. (23) Layne Riggs, Toyota, 134.
29. (26) Mason Massey, Ford, 134.
30. (16) Dean Thompson, Toyota, 131.
31. (5) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, Accident, 127.
32. (21) Lawless Alan, Chevrolet, Accident, 126.
33. (29) Kaden Honeycutt, Ford, 123.
34. (6) Corey Heim, Toyota, Accident, 83.
35. (31) Mason Maggio, Chevrolet, Accident, 52.
36. (36) Keith McGee(i), Ford, Transmission, 7.
Race winner’s average speed: 92.344 mph.
Running time: 2 hours, 17 minutes, 5 seconds. Margin of victory: seconds of caution.
Caution flags: 11 to 58 laps.
Lead changes: 17 out of 9 riders.
Lap leaders: Z. Smith 0;C. Eckes 1-32;M. Crafton 33-44;K. Honeycutt 45;M. Crafton 46-62;K. Wright 63;J. Nemechek(i) 64-79;T. Colina 80-81;J. Nemechek(i) 82-103; J. Wood 104;J. Nemechek(i) 105-112; J. Wood 113;J. Nemechek(i) 114-120;B. Rhodes 121-122;N. Sanchez # 123-128;B. Rhodes 129;N. Sanchez # 130-134;C. Eckes 135-137.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Leader, Lap Leader): John Hunter Nemechek(i) 4 times in 53 laps; Christian Eckes 2 times in 35 laps; Matt Crafton 2 times in 29 laps; Nick Sanchez #2 times for 11 laps; Ben Rhodes 2 times in 3 laps; Jack Wood 2 times for 2 laps; Timmy Hill 1 time for 2 laps; Kris Wright 1 time for 1 lap; Kaden Honeycutt 1 time per 1 turn.
Step #1 Top Ten: 19,38,23,88,25,98,52,99,4,35
Step #2 Top Ten: 88,98,17,99,11,38,16,23,52,2
