Christian Eckes, driver for Kaulig Racing, shared insights during a recent Christian Eckes Watkins Glen race interview before this weekend’s Mission 200 at The Glen in Upstate New York, expressing excitement about his racing preparations, his connection with Celsius Energy, and his outlook for the upcoming playoffs starting in four weeks. Speaking ahead of his return to the storied track, Eckes reflected on his career progression to the Xfinity Series and outlined where he believes victory might come as the playoff stretch approaches.
Intense Preparation and Confidence at The Glen
In his conversation, Eckes described thorough preparations for competing at Watkins Glen, a venue known for its unpredictability and high-speed action. He revealed that recent experiences at road courses have built both his anticipation and confidence for the upcoming race weekend. Eckes noted the unique challenge and excitement this track presents, especially considering recent changes to the cars and his limited recent tours of the Glen.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Adapting to Xfinity Series Machines at Watkins Glen
Eckes highlighted the adjustments required when moving from the Craftsman Truck Series vehicles to the powerful machines in the Xfinity Series. With five years since his last race at Watkins Glen, he shared that the technical aspects, namely increased horsepower and reduced downforce in the Xfinity car, would make this return to the iconic New York road course especially engaging. The chance to tackle this challenge with his current team adds an extra layer of motivation.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Celsius Energy Partnership Fuels On and Off Track
Eckes discussed the significance of partnering with Celsius Energy, emphasizing that the ongoing teamwork between Kaulig Racing and the beverage brand has fueled both his racing efforts and off-track experiences. The partnership is not only a source of pride but also brings unique opportunities for fan engagement and personal enjoyment.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Fan Engagement and Trackside Experiences with Celsius
At the track, Celsius sponsors various fan-facing initiatives, from product activations at the haulers to engaging displays in the fan zone. Eckes believes these efforts add to the NASCAR experience for both fans and teams, who appreciate the lively atmosphere and product perks brought to the race weekends.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Daily Routines and Training with Celsius Energy
Beyond racing, Eckes relies on Celsius for his everyday routines. He especially values its role in helping him maintain his focus and energy during early morning training, simulator sessions, and team meetings, naming orange as his personal favorite flavor.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
The Journey from Truck Series to Xfinity
Eckes described his career path as one demanding perseverance. Spending more seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series than initially planned helped him develop skills and resilience that now benefit him in the Xfinity Series. While this season has offered a mix of highlights and challenges, he remains proud of the progress made with Kaulig Racing and is optimistic about what lies ahead.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Outlook for the Playoff Push and Potential Wins
With four races remaining until the Xfinity Series playoffs, Eckes emphasized his optimism about upcoming events at Daytona and Gateway. Drawing on strong performances at these venues in previous years, especially with his current ECR engines, he believes those tracks offer promising opportunities to secure a win or further solidify playoff eligibility.
“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.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver, Kaulig Racing
What’s Next for Christian Eckes and Kaulig Racing
The upcoming Mission 200 at The Glen represents an important moment in Christian Eckes’ season, with his strong partnership with Celsius Energy and the shared determination of Kaulig Racing energizing his playoff push. Eckes’ adaptability, consistent effort, and commitment to fan engagement underline why he is a rising name to watch as the series heads deeper into the critical stages before the playoffs.
