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Christian Eckes claims Craftsman Truck Series pole award at Richmond Raceway

JHby:Jonathan Howard•08/10/24•

Jondean25

Christian Eckes
Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time this season, Christian Eckes wins the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole award, this time at Richmond. Eckes last won the pole at Bristol on his way to leading the most laps and winning the race.

Christian Eckes is hoping to clinch the regular season championship tonight. He has to finish P26 or better, regardless of what anyone else does tonight. In other words, Eckes is in position to win the championship heading into the playoffs, taking all of those bonus points with him.

Corey Heim is hoping that Eckes isn’t able to stay out front. In fact, he is hoping that Eckes has an early issue and ends the night as a DNF. As it stands, Eckes will start out front and he may not relinquish that lead.

On the season, Eckes does not have the most wins. That goes to Heim. However, he has put away a ton of points and will more than likely win the regular season championship after tonight’s race is over.

In 2023, it was Heim who won the regular season. However, he was not able to take the season championship at Phoenix after that chaotic and dreadful final race.

Christian Eckes will start ahead of Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, Layne Riggs, William Sawalich, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray, Kdaen Honeycutt, Nick Sanchez, and Tyler Ankrum – that is your top-10 for tonight.

Christian Eckes wins pole, pair of teens go head to head

While the big story from qualifying is Christian Eckes winning the pole award, there is another storyline to watch tonight. William Sawalich and Connor Zilisch are both racing in the Truck Series race tonight. Sawalich for Tricon, Zilisch for Spire.

Already, Sawalich is going to have a massive advantage. He starts P5. Meanwhile, Zilisch qualified P27. It is going to be a night of learning and slowly moving up through the field for Zilisch. He has the talent to drive into the top-10 if all goes well.m

These two have had run-ins multiple times in the ARCA Menards Series. They are two talented prospects looking to prove themselves and they see each other as a measuring stick. Zilisch has been able to get the better of Sawalich more times than not.

Tonight, Christian Eckes looks to win his regular season title. Sawalich and Zilisch record another chapter in their young rivalry. Tonight at Richmond is going to be a ton of fun for NASCAR fans, tune into FS1 and catch the action tonight.