Race Information
Venue: Phoenix Raceway
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150
Date: Friday, October 16
Location: Avondale, AZ
Track Description: 1.0-mile tri oval
Distance: 150 laps, 150 miles (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 2 & FOX Business, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM)
Eckes Dreaming of Desert Breakthrough in Phoenix
Closing In … Christian Eckes has generated tremendous momentum in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) Chase and is closing in on a long-awaited return to victory lane. The driver of the No. 91 Columbia Bank Chevrolet Silverado RST is a former winner at Phoenix Raceway and looks to vault himself into championship contention on Friday evening in the desert. Eckes has recorded consecutive runner-up results in the last two events entering Arizona’s one-mile trioval. Four races remain in the NCTS Chase with Eckes still within reach of the title if he is able to extend his streak of elite performances.
Phoenix Front Runner … Phoenix Raceway is steeped in history with a heritage of hosting the Copper Classic, deciding six years of NASCAR champions, and hosting the first NCTS points race in 1995. Eckes has a piece of his own history at the diamond in the desert, where he drove to victory lane in the 2023 NCTS finale. That triumph was the first of three one-two finishes in MHR’s history. Over six NCTS outings in Phoenix since 2018, Eckes has been a mainstay near the front with three top-five’s and five top-10 finishes. Additionally, the 2024 regular season titlist has been a fixture at the front over the past eight races with five top-five results during that stretch. He looks to collect another Phoenix trophy on Friday night to renew his championship aspirations.
Season to Date … With four races remaining in the Chase, Eckes holds the fourth position in the standings, 88 points out of the lead. Through 21 races, Eckes has recorded eight top-five’s and 13 top-10 results, along with three stage victories and a whopping +319 pass differential.
Tune In … Friday’s NCTS duel in the desert will be simulcast on FOX Sports 2, FOX Business, and the FOX One app at 7:30 p.m. ET. On-track activity gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET Friday afternoon with practice and qualifying on FOX Sports 2. Stay connected with the No. 91 Columbia Bank team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmr_nascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.
Christian Eckes Quote:
On returning to Phoenix:
“We’ve elevated ourselves to have top-five speed just about every week now and we’ve been putting it together the last couple of races. We want to win, obviously, but the effort that’s translated to pace on the racetrack has been great to see. Our goal is to do that in Pheonix this week with our Columbia Bank Chevrolet and contend for a win. We feel like we’re close, but we’re pushing ourselves to have enough pace to control these races. Phoenix has been good for us in the past. Got a win and ran top-three a few years ago. Hopefully we can do it again this week.”
Christian Eckes 2026 NCTS Statistics
Starts: 21
Wins: 0
Top-5’s: 8
Top-10’s: 13
Poles: 0
Average Finish: 12.8
Laps Led: 173
Stage Wins: 3
Points Position: 4th
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