Before heading to Upstate New York to race the Mission 200 at The Glen, Kaulig Racing’s Christian Eckes spoke with Frontstretch about racing at the road course this weekend and working with his partners at Celsius Energy. Eckes also reflected on his career leading up to the Xfinity Series and where he feels he can get a win before the playoffs start in 4 weeks.
Trenton Worsham: How has the week been preparing for the Mission 200 at The Glen?
Eckes: It’s been a good week of preparation leading to Watkins Glen; it’s feast or famine at road courses for us, but we have had some success this year on them, so this weekend shouldn’t be any different.
Worsham: The Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity machines are different, so getting ready for the chaos that turn 1 can produce, what’s the difference in feel between them?
Eckes: I haven’t been to Watkins Glen in about 5 years, so it’s different this time around with a lot less downforce and more power. It should be more fun, I think it was ok but not great, but I do enjoy Watkins Glen, and it’s been a good week of prep.
Worsham: Relationships are key in this sport from the grassroots side up the pipeline into the Cup Series. Tell us about Celsius and that partnership?
Eckes: It’s been great so far. Kaulig [Racing] has had that partnership for a few years now, so it’s been a team partnership; being part of it has been a true honor. The drinks are great, and we have gotten to do some cool things, and I hope it’s a relationship for years to come.
Worsham: Celsius is one sponsor that we see at the track doing several activations, whether it’s at the haulers or the fan zone, so what’s it like being part of that and seeing those things come together?
Eckes: I think everybody at the track loves the cooler setup with free Celsius that us and some other teams have that are sponsored by them, so it’s been super cool. They love NASCAR and love being part of it, so it’s been fun to be a part of.
Worsham: Is there any role they play in your training during the week, whether it’s focus for the sim time or workouts?
Eckes: I have my favorite flavor every morning, which is orange. It helps me get going for morning training sessions, meetings, and other things during the day.
Worsham: It’s been a long time coming for you to make it to the Xfinity Series, so how do you feel about your season so far and the road you were on to get to where you’re at?
Eckes: It’s been a long journey for sure; I was definitely in the Truck Series for longer than I wanted to be, but I learned a lot over those years. Just being grateful for opportunities which prepared me for this opportunity. I’m grateful to be at Kaulig Racing for this year and the future. The year hasn’t gone as well as I anticipated; we have had some highs and some lows. Definitely some work to go, but proud of the effort so far.
Worsham: There are four weeks until the playoffs. Where do you feel you could win to get in with those four tracks?
Eckes: I feel very good about Daytona and Gateway. I’ve been good in the Trucks at Gateway and Daytona with these ECR engines; we always have a shot, so those two should be good two races for us to get lucky with points or get a win.
