“Christian Eckes has a new home”: NASCAR Insider hints at silly season movement for Truck Series prospect

Amid Christian Eckes' rumored upgrade in NASCAR, Chris Knight has hinted at the former's silly season movement. The insider ruled out the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver's speculated move to Joe Gibbs Racing, but shed light on the New York native's future in the high-octane motorsport.

Martin Truex Jr. is in his final full-time Cup Series season in NASCAR and the #19 Toyota's seat will be taken by Stewart-Haas Racing's Chase Briscoe in 2025. Thus, all four JGR Cup cars have full-time drivers, and Eckes' move there is highly unlikely. A move to JGR's Xfinity Series could've still been up for grabs but Knight has ruled out that thought.

Amid no update regarding Christian Eckes' contract renewal, a fan shared some silly season rumors and mentioned Eckes and Erik Jones' switch to the North Carolina-based outfit. Chris Knight denied the speculation but said the Truck Series driver will join a new team.

"Eckes won't be at Gibbs, but I've been told he has a new home for 2025," the insider wrote on X.

Christian Eckes debuted in the Truck Series in 2018 at the Iowa Speedway. He began running a full-time schedule in 2020, fielding Kyle Busch Motorsports' #18 Toyota. Since he ventured into NCTS, the 23-year-old has bagged eight wins and 61 top-10s.

Moreover, the #19 driver has showcased his supremacy in the ARCA Menards Series. From 46 starts in ARCA, he has registered seven wins, 23 top-5s, and 35 top-10 finishes.

After ending his previous Truck Series season at a career-best fifth place, Eckes is fighting for the regular season title, as his ticket to the playoffs has already been punched. He is second in the rankings and is shy in the battle for his maiden regular season championship by three points against Corey Heim.

A look into the possible landing spots for Christian Eckes

Before Christian Eckes replaced Derek Kraus at McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for the 2023 season, the Roseville-based outfit had no top-10 rank since the #19 Truck's debut in 2018. But after the former's entry, the team secured a fifth-place finish last year, and are placed second so far this season.

Eckes is running his fifth full-time year in the Truck Series and has consistently dominated the field. He has three wins, 10 top-5s, and 15 top-10s from his 16 outings. According to journalist Bob Pockrass, the 23-year-old appears to be leveling up to the Xfinity Series.

Christian Eckes is linked with Front Row Motorsports and Kaulig Racing for 2025 Cup racing. However, if the 8x Truck Series race winner doesn't land a seat in NASCAR's premier level, he could replace Xfinity Series' Shane van Gisbergen in Kaulig's #97 Chevy, and the latter will move up a ladder - the Cup Series.