Eckes, Majeski Front Row at IRP

Christian Eckes [pictured at Charlotte] qualified at the top of the field at Indianapolis Raceway Park
RIS photo by John Davison

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUG 11, 2023 – RIS) Christian Eckes sped his NAPA Auto Care Chevy to the pole position for the TSport 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In the top ten qualifiers, only three are not Playoffs-qualified: rookies Rajah Caruth in fourth and Jake Garcia in seventh with William Sawalich tenth. Shane Van Gisbergen, winner of the NASCAR Cup Series street race at Chicago, will roll off in 28th position at the start.

Practice for the TSport200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Indianapolis Raceway Park got interrupted briefly for a bit of debris in the second turn. Shane Van Gisbergen, winner of the Cup race on Chicago’s street course, pulled into the pits with a battery problem. Layne Riggs and Daniel Dye headed the first group early, with Lawless Alan spinning in the third turn for a brief yellow flag before he spun again in the same turn, damaging the left front of the truck and ending the first group’s practice. Shane Van Gisbergen clocked the twelfth-fastest lap, some 0.742 second behind Riggs’ best time of 23.383 seconds at 105.615 mph.

Early in the second group, Corey Heim, Matt Crafton and Ty Majeski topped the chart, all three quicker around the .686-mile oval than Riggs in the first group. The trio remained quickest throughout the session.

Tyler Ankrum’s truck suffered a mechanical failure in the right-front, sending the team to a backup race vehicle.

Chad Chastain led the field to the track in qualifying, his first lap slightly quicker than the second, before Jake Drew’s 23.271-second lap beat him out. Armani Williams wasn’t able to get within a second of Drew’s time, then Layne Riggs took to the track in the first qualifier to run a top-five time in practice and ran two-tenths of a second quicker than Drew.

Matt Mills bumped Drew out of second place then a couple of trucks later, the New Zealand racer jumped into sixth place just before Conner Jones set the third-fastest lap so far. Just the next truck out, Dean Thompson, leaped to the top of the sheet with a lap of 23.149 seconds at 106.683 mph. 

Daniel Dye almost immediately bumped Howard out of third, then multiple trucks later, Rajah Caruth put the No. 24 truck in first place, then William Sawalich clocked the second-fastest time so far, his position lasting only a couple of trucks before Jake Garcia took second place. Grant Enfinger set a lap time just two thousandths of a second behind Caruth’s time, A few trucks later, Christian Eckes pipped Caruth’s time by 0.083 second to top the charts with just a handful of trucks left to set times. Corey Heim took second place, four thousandths ahead of Caruth, then Majeski put his truck in second place. Zane Smith could only run seventh-fastest, with Carson Hocevar’s 22.968-second lap was good for fifth on the grid.

Practice: TSport 200, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Pos, Driver, Truck, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Corey Heim (P), No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 23.299 sec, 105.996 mph, 2, 26, ---, ---
2) Matt Crafton (P), No. 88 Generac/Menards Ford, 23.344, 105.792, 2, 17, -0.045 sec, -0.045 sec
3) Ty Majeski (P), No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 23.352, 105.755, 2, 16, -0.053, -0.008
4) Layne Riggs, No. 7 Infinity Communications Group Chevrolet, 23.383, 105.615, 2, 22, -0.084, -0.031
5) Taylor Gray #, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 23.407, 105.507, 2, 23, -0.108, -0.024
6) Daniel Dye #, No. 43 Bettenhausenauto.com Chevrolet, 23.414, 105.475, 3, 21, -0.115, -0.007
7) Christian Eckes (P), No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, 23.436, 105.376, 2, 21, -0.137, -0.022
8) Dean Thompson, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota, 23.445, 105.336, 2, 19, -0.146, -0.009
9) Carson Hocevar (P), No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 23.452, 105.304, 2, 24, -0.153, -0.007
10) William Sawalich, No. 1 Starkey/Soundgear Toyota, 23.458, 105.278, 2, 23, -0.159, -0.006
11) Nick Sanchez # (P), No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 23.469, 105.228, 2, 20, -0.170, -0.011
12) Grant Enfinger (P), No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 23.487, 105.148, 2, 21, -0.188, -0.018
13) Colby Howard, No. 9 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet, 23.492, 105.125, 1, 18, -0.193, -0.005
14) Rajah Caruth #, No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet, 23.504, 105.071, 3, 26, -0.205, -0.012
15) Conner Jones, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 23.510, 105.045, 3, 20, -0.211, -0.006
16) Matt DiBenedetto (P), No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 23.551, 104.862, 2, 23, -0.252, -0.041
17) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota, 23.590, 104.688, 1, 22, -0.291, -0.039
18) Zane Smith (P), No. 38 Boot Barn Ford, 23.599, 104.649, 2, 18, -0.300, -0.009
19) Tanner Gray, No. 15 DSM Precision Manufacturing Toyota, 23.621, 104.551, 2, 31, -0.322, -0.022
20) Jake Garcia #, No. 35 Quanta Services Chevrolet, 23.635, 104.489, 3, 22, -0.336, -0.014
21) Jake Drew, No. 61 AISIN Toyota, 23.669, 104.339, 4, 22, -0.370, -0.034
22) Bret Holmes #, No. 32 Precision Garage Doors Chevrolet, 23.687, 104.260, 3, 12, -0.388, -0.018
23) Logan Bearden, No. 22 Bearden Automotive Ford, 23.691, 104.242, 4, 12, -0.392, -0.004
24) Ben Rhodes (P), No. 99 Farm Paint Ford, 23.691, 104.242, 1, 18, -0.392, -0.000
25) Tyler Ankrum, No. 16 LiUNA! Toyota, 23.732, 104.062, 2, 11, -0.433, -0.041
26) Spencer Boyd, No. 12 Freedom Warranty Chevrolet, 23.786, 103.826, 2, 14, -0.487, -0.054
27) Chase Purdy, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 23.788, 103.817, 4, 25, -0.489, -0.002
28) Lawless Alan, No. 45 AUTOChargit Chevrolet, 23.800, 103.765, 5, 20, -0.501, -0.012
29) Jack Wood (P), No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet, 23.959, 103.076, 3, 18, -0.660, -0.159
30) Hailie Deegan, No. 13 Ford Performance Ford, 24.025, 102.793, 3, 15, -0.726, -0.066
31) Landen Lewis, No. 04 CarQuest Chevrolet, 24.069, 102.605, 6, 17, -0.770, -0.044
32) Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 24.125, 102.367, 7, 16, -0.826, -0.056
33) Chris Hacker, No. 30 UBPN/Morgan & Morgan Toyota, 24.155, 102.240, 6, 15, -0.856, -0.030
34) Greg Van Alst, No. 20 CB Fabricating Chevrolet, 24.203, 102.037, 6, 11, -0.904, -0.048
35) Matt Mills, No. 02 J.F. Electric Chevrolet, 24.257, 101.810, 6, 14, -0.958, -0.054
36) Chad Chastain, No. 44 Eat Illiana Watermelon Chevrolet, 24.295, 101.651, 7, 24, -0.996, -0.038
37) Tyler Hill, No. 56 HairClub Toyota, 24.305, 101.609, 7, 19, -1.006, -0.010
38) Josh Reaume, No. 33 JAG Metals Ford, 24.466, 100.940, 4, 10, -1.167, -0.161
39) Armani Williams, No. 46 CU Autism Network Toyota, 25.054, 98.571, 2, 14, -1.755, -0.588

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Truck, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Corey Heim (P), No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 1, 10, 104.112 mph
2) Rajah Caruth #, No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet, 1, 10, 104.077
3) Matt Crafton (P), No. 88 Generac/Menards Ford, 1, 10, 103.643
4) Christian Eckes (P), No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, 1, 10, 103.641
5) Taylor Gray #, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 1, 10, 103.379
6) Carson Hocevar (P), No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 1, 10, 103.282
7) Jake Drew, No. 61 AISIN Toyota, 6, 15, 103.228
8) William Sawalich, No. 1 Starkey/Soundgear Toyota, 8, 17, 103.056
9) Tanner Gray, No. 15 DSM Precision Manufacturing Toyota, 1, 10, 102.998
10) Layne Riggs, No. 7 Infinity Communications Group Chevrolet, 6, 15, 102.860
11) Chase Purdy, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 2, 11, 101.945
12) Dean Thompson, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota, 7, 16, 101.753
13) Grant Enfinger (P), No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 12, 21, 101.718
14) Matt DiBenedetto (P), No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 7, 16, 101.133
15) Chad Chastain, No. 44 Eat Illiana Watermelon Chevrolet, 7, 16, 99.255
16) Armani Williams, No. 46 CU Autism Network Toyota, 2, 11, 97.809
Must run 10 consecutive laps on the track to be included.

Qualifying: TSport 200, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Pos, Driver, Truck, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Christian Eckes (P), No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, 22.884, 107.918, 1, 1, 0.000, 0.000
2) Ty Majeski (P), No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 22.922, 107.739, 1, 2, 0.038, 0.038
3) Corey Heim (P), No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 22.963, 107.547, 1, 2, 0.079, 0.041
4) Rajah Caruth #, No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet, 22.967, 107.528, 1, 2, 0.083, 0.004
5) Carson Hocevar (P), No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 22.968, 107.524, 1, 1, 0.084, 0.001
6) Grant Enfinger (P), No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 22.969, 107.519, 1, 1, 0.085, 0.001
7) Jake Garcia #, No. 35 Quanta Services Chevrolet, 22.992, 107.411, 1, 2, 0.108, 0.023
8) Zane Smith (P), No. 38 Boot Barn Ford, 23.049, 107.146, 1, 2, 0.165, 0.057
9) Nick Sanchez # (P), No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 23.111, 106.858, 1, 2, 0.227, 0.062
10) William Sawalich, No. 1 Starkey/Soundgear Toyota, 23.114, 106.844, 1, 2, 0.230, 0.003
11) Dean Thompson, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota, 23.149, 106.683, 1, 2, 0.265, 0.035
12) Layne Riggs, No. 7 Infinity Communications Group Chevrolet, 23.166, 106.605, 1, 2, 0.282, 0.017
13) Matt Crafton (P), No. 88 Generac/Menards Ford, 23.181, 106.536, 2, 2, 0.297, 0.015
14) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota, 23.202, 106.439, 1, 2, 0.318, 0.021
15) Daniel Dye #, No. 43 Bettenhausenauto.com Chevrolet, 23.207, 106.416, 1, 2, 0.323, 0.005
16) Colby Howard, No. 9 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet, 23.287, 106.051, 1, 2, 0.403, 0.080
17) Matt Mills, No. 02 J.F. Electric Chevrolet, 23.288, 106.046, 2, 2, 0.404, 0.001
18) Conner Jones, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 23.321, 105.896, 2, 2, 0.437, 0.033
19) Tanner Gray, No. 15 DSM Precision Manufacturing Toyota, 23.363, 105.706, 1, 2, 0.479, 0.042
20) Jake Drew, No. 61 AISIN Toyota, 23.371, 105.669, 2, 2, 0.487, 0.008
21) Ben Rhodes (P), No. 99 Farm Paint Ford, 23.385, 105.606, 1, 2, 0.501, 0.014
22) Chase Purdy, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 23.388, 105.593, 2, 2, 0.504, 0.003
23) Jack Wood (P), No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet, 23.393, 105.570, 1, 2, 0.509, 0.005
24) Matt DiBenedetto (P), No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 23.423, 105.435, 1, 2, 0.539, 0.030
25) Hailie Deegan, No. 13 Ford Performance Ford, 23.436, 105.376, 1, 2, 0.552, 0.013
26) Logan Bearden, No. 22 Bearden Automotive Ford, 23.440, 105.358, 1, 2, 0.556, 0.004
27) Greg Van Alst, No. 20 CB Fabricating Chevrolet, 23.491, 105.130, 2, 2, 0.607, 0.051
28) Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 23.527, 104.969, 2, 2, 0.643, 0.036
29) Landen Lewis, No. 04 CarQuest Chevrolet, 23.673, 104.321, 1, 2, 0.789, 0.146
30) Tyler Hill, No. 56 HairClub Toyota, 23.680, 104.291, 2, 2, 0.796, 0.007
31) Spencer Boyd, No. 12 Freedom Warranty Chevrolet, 23.733, 104.058, 1, 2, 0.849, 0.053
32) Bret Holmes (OP)#, No. 32 Precision Garage Doors Chevrolet, 23.814, 103.704, 2, 2, 0.930, 0.081
33) Chris Hacker (OP), No. 30 UBPN/Morgan & Morgan Toyota, 23.833, 103.621, 1, 2, 0.949, 0.019
34) Taylor Gray (OP) #, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 23.912, 103.279, 1, 2, 1.028, 0.079
35) Tyler Ankrum (OP), No. 16 LiUNA! Toyota, 0.000, 0.000, 0, 0, -----, -----
36) Lawless Alan (OP), No. 45 AUTOChargit Chevrolet, 0.000, 0.000, 0, 0, -----, -----
37) Josh Reaume, No. 33 JAG Metals Ford, 23.758, 103.948, 1, 2, 0.874, 23.758
38) Chad Chastain, No. 44 Eat Illiana Watermelon Chevrolet, 23.884, 103.400, 1, 2, 1.000, 0.126
39) Armani Williams, No. 46 CU Autism Network Toyota, 24.511, 100.755, 2, 2, 1.627, 0.627

Starting Line Up: TSport 200, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Pos, Driver, Truck, Time, Speed
1) Christian Eckes (P), No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, 22.884 sec, 107.918 mph
2) Ty Majeski (P), No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 22.922, 107.739
3) Corey Heim (P), No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 22.963, 107.547
4) Rajah Caruth #, No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet, 22.967, 107.528
5) Carson Hocevar (P), No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 22.968, 107.524
6) Grant Enfinger (P), No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 22.969, 107.519
7) Jake Garcia #, No. 35 Quanta Services Chevrolet, 22.992, 107.411
8) Zane Smith (P), No. 38 Boot Barn Ford, 23.049, 107.146
9) Nick Sanchez # (P), No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 23.111, 106.858
10) William Sawalich, No. 1 Starkey/Soundgear Toyota, 23.114, 106.844
11) Dean Thompson, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota, 23.149, 106.683
12) Layne Riggs, No. 7 Infinity Communications Group Chevrolet, 23.166, 106.605
13) Matt Crafton (P), No. 88 Generac/Menards Ford, 23.181, 106.536
14) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota, 23.202, 106.439
15) Daniel Dye #, No. 43 Bettenhausenauto.com Chevrolet, 23.207, 106.416
16) Colby Howard, No. 9 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet, 23.287, 106.051
17) Matt Mills, No. 02 J.F. Electric Chevrolet, 23.288, 106.046
18) Conner Jones, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 23.321, 105.896
19) Tanner Gray, No. 15 DSM Precision Manufacturing Toyota, 23.363, 105.706
20) Jake Drew, No. 61 AISIN Toyota, 23.371, 105.669
21) Ben Rhodes (P), No. 99 Farm Paint Ford, 23.385, 105.606
22) Chase Purdy, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 23.388, 105.593
23) Jack Wood (P), No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet, 23.393, 105.570
24) Matt DiBenedetto (P), No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 23.423, 105.435
25) Hailie Deegan, No. 13 Ford Performance Ford, 23.436, 105.376
26) Logan Bearden, No. 22 Bearden Automotive Ford, 23.440, 105.358
27) Greg Van Alst, No. 20 CB Fabricating Chevrolet, 23.491, 105.130
28) Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 23.527, 104.969
29) Landen Lewis, No. 04 CarQuest Chevrolet, 23.673, 104.321
30) Tyler Hill, No. 56 HairClub Toyota, 23.680, 104.291
31) Spencer Boyd, No. 12 Freedom Warranty Chevrolet, 23.733, 104.058
32) Bret Holmes #, No. 32 Precision Garage Doors Chevrolet, Owner Points, 
33) Chris Hacker, No. 30 UBPN/Morgan & Morgan Toyota, Owner Points, 
34) Taylor Gray #, No. 17 JBL Toyota, Owner Points, 
35) Tyler Ankrum, No. 16 LiUNA! Toyota, Owner Points, 
36) Lawless Alan, No. 45 AUTOChargit Chevrolet, Owner Points,
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie, (P) Playoffs

Did Not Qualify: No. 33 Josh Reaume,.No. 44 Chad Chastain, No. 46 Armani Williams

Track Qualifying Record: Joe Ruttman, 08/03/00, 22.081 sec, 111.843 mph

Track Race Record: Greg Biffle, 08/05/99, 1:33:16, 88.704 mph