Kaulig Racing delivered notable results at the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, showing resilience and teamwork during a challenging race night. The Kaulig Racing Food City 300 recap highlights significant gains, a commendable debut, and lessons learned for the team’s drivers and crews.
Christian Eckes Battles Through Late-Race Challenges
Piloting the No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, Christian Eckes and his team focused on improving their standing and adapting as the race unfolded at Bristol. Eckes and the No. 16 team managed to advance despite obstacles on the track, emphasizing the squad’s development since the spring event. Eckes noted the need for improved track position but credited his group’s progress and determination throughout the night.
“I was pretty happy with our No. 16. Celsius Chevy. We just needed track position the most, so when we got caught up in some of the mess towards the end, we had to try and make up some spots. We definitely made improvements from the spring race, and I’m proud of this No. 16 group for the hard work.”
—Christian Eckes, Driver
Brenden Queen Achieves Top-20 Finish in Xfinity Series Debut
Driving the No. 11 Action Industries Chevrolet, Brenden Queen started from the 28th position and made initial gains, finishing Stage 1 in 23rd. After a pit stop during the stage break, Queen worked methodically through Stage 2, advancing into the top 20 during a steady green-flag run. For the final segment, Queen began in 18th and completed the event with a 20th-place finish, marking a successful debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“I put us in a little bit of a hole during qualifying, but I think with some track position, a top 15 was realistic. I can’t complain about a top-20 finish, running all of the laps, and ending on the lead lap. This is something we can build off of, and I’m thankful to Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, and everyone at Kaulig Racing for the opportunity.”
—Brenden Queen, Driver
Daniel Dye Gains Early, Faces Mid-Race Setback
Daniel Dye, in the No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet, showed strong early momentum after starting 31st. Dye gained 10 positions in the opening segment, reflecting significant setup improvements from earlier practice sessions. The car’s handling remained favorable into Stage 2, with Dye advancing to 18th place. However, a spin on lap 210 triggered a caution, and although he avoided major damage, Dye lost a lap and ultimately finished 26th.
“We struggled in practice and qualifying, but I’m glad we found a little potential in the car to move inside the top 15. Unfortunately, we got some damage and ultimately spun. After that we lost a lap, and we just weren’t able to get it back.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Momentum and Lessons for Upcoming Races
Kaulig Racing’s efforts at the Food City 300 underline the team’s commitment to progress and adaptability, with key figures such as Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, and their drivers playing essential roles in pushing for stronger outcomes. The top-20 debut for Brenden Queen and the collective gains by Christian Eckes and Daniel Dye indicate a foundation on which the team can build for future events. With focus on improvements, Kaulig Racing aims to leverage experiences from Bristol to achieve greater results as the season continues.
