Christian Eckes' consistent season not enough to win Truck Series championship

 In Hornaday Jr.'s 1996 campaign — the first of four championship seasons for the Truck Series legend — he finished inside the top 10 in 23 of 24 races, winning four times with the only blemish on his resume being a 22nd-place finish at North Wilkesboro. 

How similar was Eckes' 2024 season? He finished inside the top 10 in 22 of 23 races, winning four times with a 32nd-place finish at Atlanta being the only blemish on his resume. Both drivers even drove a Chevrolet truck sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts. 

The only difference? Hornaday walked away with the championship, while Eckes came up two spots shy of the title. 

The history books will forever show that Eckes' legendary season was only good enough for a third-place points finish. If the series used the same points system it did in 1996 - when the championship was simply decided by points over the entire season rather than a playoff format - Eckes would've beaten Corey Heim for the title by 153 points. 

"We just didn't have enough all night to run with them (the No. 98) or the No. 11," Eckes said. "(Crew chief) Charles Denike and the guys made a good call and put some tires on. We were able to drive through the field, and I thought I'd have a shot at it. Just ran out of time."

Eckes won't be able to let the championship disappointment loom for long before he jumps into his first full-time opportunity in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year. Eckes will drive for Kaulig Racing in 2025. The 2025 Xfinity Series season will start at the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15 with the annual 300-mile season-opening race.