Christian Eckes takes advantage of competitor’s penalties, wins at Pocono

Christian Eckes earned his second win of the 2019 ARCA Menards season on Friday afternoon, winning at Pocono after the top threats were slowed by a plethora of issues.

Series points leader Michael Self was the first to fall, going down pit road on lap 20 after feeling a vibration in his car.

Later on after the halfway point of the 60-lap race, Eckes would be the first of the top drivers to come down pit road.

Christian Eckes takes advantage of competitor’s penalties, wins at Pocono

Eckes went through his stop with no issues, but for Todd Gilliland and Chandler Smith, things weren’t as clean.

Smith was called for speeding during his time on pit road, while Gilliland – who was the leader before he came in – was nabbed for crossing the blend line to early on his exit.

Meanwhile, Eckes stayed out of trouble and cruised to the victory by more than 10 seconds when he crossed the line over Gilliland.

With the win, Eckes is slowly creeping back up the leader board in the series points standings, passing Bret Holmes for second place behind Self.

Five races are left in the 2019 season with two dirt tracks still on the horizon over the next three months. A lot can happen in that time, but things are sure to heat up.

The ARCA Menards Series will return to the track for a dirt race when the visit the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the Allen Crowe 100 on August 18. The race is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on MAV TV.

ARCA @ Pocono Results
1. Christian Eckes
2. Todd Gilliland
3. Michael Self
4. Austin Wayne Self
5. Bryan Dauzat
6. Bryant Barnhill
7. Bret Holmes
8. Spencer Boyd
9. Travis Brayden
10. Joe Graf Jr.
11. Thad Moffitt
12. Bobby Gerhart
13. Ed Pompa
14. Jordan Anderson
15. Tim Richmond
16. Brad Smith
17. Jennifer Jo Cobb
18. Dick Doheny
19. Mike Basham
20. Daniel Sasnett