The ARCA Kansas 150 was a microcosm of the entire season for Christian Eckes. The Middletown, New York native was fast in practice, but engine issues necessitated a change following qualifying. That sent Eckes to the rear of the field for the start, but he quickly knifed his way through the field to the top five.
Toyota Racing development driver Christian Eckes captured his first ARCA Menards Series championship after winning the season finale event at Kansas Speedway on Friday evening. Eckes is the sixth driver to run a Toyota to clinch an ARCA Menards Series championship, joining the group of previous champions including Sheldon Creed, Austin Theriault, Frank Kimmel, Patrick Sheltra and Justin Lofton.
It was a dominating race by the Venturini Motorsports team at Kansas Speedway and a battle between two championship contenders, Michael Self and Christian Eckes, that was decided by one position on the race track. Even an engine change would not stop Eckes from winning.
Tanner Gray was the final car to take a lap in General Tire Pole Qualifying for tonight's ARCA Kansas 150 and he saved the best for last as he knocked Michael Self off the top of the leaderboard. For Gray (No. 54 Gray Motorsports/Valvoline/Durst, Inc. Toyota) it was his first career General Tire Pole Award and for Self, getting bumped off the pole means a loss of five bonus points that go to the pole winner.
DGR Crosley Racing teammates Drew Dollar (No. 4 Dollar Concrete Construction Toyota) and Tanner Gray (Gray Motorsports/Valvoline/Durst, Inc. Toyota) led the way in the day's only practice session for the ARCA Menards Series ARCA Kansas 150 on Friday afternoon at Kansas Speedway.
After 19 races of ARCA Menards Series action, the season is coming to a close Friday night in the heartland at Kansas Speedway where a champion will be crowned.
Last year's ARCA Menards Series finale at Kansas Speedway had little championship drama, as Sheldon Creed needed to only present his car for practice to become the 35th driver to become the series champion in ARCA's then 67-year history.
The ARCA Menards Series will race 20 times at 20 different venues in 15 states in 2020, providing an all-encompassing slate of races across the country provide an opportunity for short-track veterans and rising young stars.
fficials from the ASA STARS National Tour have announced the return of the Platinum Program presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch and MDM Promotions for the 2026 season