Christian Eckes will join Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series program in 2025 on a multi-year deal, the team announced at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31.
“I’m extremely thankful and grateful for Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice and everyone involved for the opportunity to be a part of Kaulig Racing,” Eckes said. “What they have been able to do as a company in just a few short years has been incredible. I’m looking forward to adding to that success in 2025 and beyond.”
Eckes will take over the No. 16 from AJ Allmendinger, who will be promoted to Kaulig’s Cup Series program full-time. Allmendinger currently sits fifth in the Xfinity Series driver standings in the car.
“Matt Kaulig and I have invested a lot of time thinking and planning for what the future of Kaulig Racing looks like,” said team president, Chris Rice. “We’re continuing to improve our Xfinity program, and we are making decisions to help us do that. Christian [Eckes] has proven himself in the Truck Series and we’re excited to have him take the next step in his career and be a part of our program beginning in 2025.”
Eckes won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season championship at Richmond Raceway a few weeks ago and currently leads the Truck Series playoff standings with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.
The team stated that Eckes will not make any Xfinity starts to close 2024 in order for him to remain focused on the Truck Series title fight.
Chase began working with Frontstretch in the spring of 2023 as a news writer, while also helping fill in for other columns as needed. Chase is now the main writer and reporter for Frontstretch.com's CARS Tour coverage, a role which began late in 2023. Aside from racing, some of Chase's other hobbies include time in the outdoors hunting and fishing, and keeping up with all things Philadelphia sports related.