Twitter really opens up the opportunities for amateur writers to connect with up and coming athletes. That is exactly what I was able to do the other night. Depending on how much you keep up with the lower series you may or may not have heard of Christian Eckes.
Christian is actively driving a part time truck series schedule for none other than Kyle Busch Motorsports. When he’s not doing that he is driving full time in the ARCA series for Venturini Motorsports. Christian has worked his way thru the ranks of Bandelero cars, legend cars, and super late models. This young man has been successful in everything he sits behind the wheel.
None the less he was nice enough to answer a few questions about himself and his career the other night. I’m going to give you a word for word summary of our twitter conversation. I really think this young man could follow in the steps of previous drivers like Christopher Bell, and Eric Jones.
Question’s and Answer’s
Q: Christian once again man thank you for talking with me and answering a few questions. First off tell me something as a fan I may not know about you? Like what do you enjoy doing when you’re not racing?
Christian: To be honest, other than race I don’t do a whole lot. My whole life revolves around it, even when I’m not racing I’m either with my friends working out or doing other things involved through racing. One of my favorite things is to connect with fans on iRacing and race with them, it’s always a lot of fun. It also helps develop my craft and it’s cool to connect with others.
Q: You were able to get an awesome opportunity to run with KBM to start last year and got an extended schedule this year. What was it like getting an opportunity with a team like that and what did it mean to you as a driver to get even more chances this year?
Christian: It meant a lot to get the opportunities then as well as now. KBM being so rich in the success over the past year definitely puts a lot of confidence in my head that I can go straight out and compete. Being with Rudy this year and his whole team is awesome and I can’t wait to get the more frequent starts rolling here soon.
Q: The schedule changes in the sport across the board have been the talk of everyone. For you as a driver if given the opportunity which race would want to strap into a truck or car for and why?
Christian: I’d like to be in all of them of course, but Darlington in a cup car is definitely something I’d love to have a shot in for sure. With all the throwback schemes going on it’s just a really cool event to just watch, and being a part of it would mean that much more.
Q: You’re currently with Venturini Motorsports right now in the ARCA series. From a racing career stand point what are your goals for the next couple of years?
Christian: In a few years I’d like to be either in the Truck of Xfinity series full time, but you really never know what can happen. I put my best effort in every day and work extremely hard at what I can do, and that’s really all I can ask for at this point. I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been provided and I’m fully prepared to take advantage of them to reach my lifelong goals.
Q: I’ve been a race fan my whole life, and I love to see new guys like yourself get into good rides. Hopefully to do some great things, but as you were growing up which driver did you maybe idolize from a racing standpoint and why?
Christian: There’s a lot of drivers that I was a fan of growing up throughout multiple disciples of racing. As far as NASCAR goes I was a pretty big Jimmie Johnson fan. I felt like what he stood for on and off the race track and his commitment to the sport was unmatched to the others. That really struck a chord with me. Plus winning seven championships within a span of eleven or twelve years is a success unparalleled to the modern era and it’s truly amazing to watch it unfold.
Q: If Christian isn’t racing for a career what is he doing? What is the one career you might enjoy half as much as racing?
Christian: Honestly, growing up I always wanted to be a astronaut. I think the unknowns of space is really interesting and I always wanted to go up there to see what is was like. I’m still pretty fascinated by the concept to this day and if the opportunity ever presented itself without racing I’d be all in.
Conclusion
This young man has the determination and grit in my opinion to make a career out of this sport. The equipment he has will for sure aid in his pursuit of victories. Christian most recently claimed the ARCA pole at Daytona and was able to finish fourth. His truck series debut at Daytona didn’t go as planned, but you will see him again in June at Gateway Motorsports Park. I am very much appreciative for him taking some time to answer a few questions. Make sure to give this young man a follow on Twitter: @christianeckes and as always stay tuned into anything Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Racing.
