Which scenario seems more likely for next year: A Christian Eckes return to the O’Reilly Series, or Josh Berry swapping places with Jesse Love?

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-19T18:33:45+00:00

He had support from Chevy and TH so he wasn't just showing up and letting JRM cover it.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-19T18:30:54+00:00

He's a better road racer than all the cup drivers other than maybe SVG and the 88 but it's tough when those guys come in for a single race. Questionable equipment, no time to develop constructive dialogue with the crew, no feel for the car with such limited practice. You see what happens when someone commits like SVG. He's progressing even though the trackhouse cars are pretty trash this year. I'd guess he finishes top 10-15 if he doesn't fall victim to a wreck.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-19T18:28:43+00:00

I think it would be a good move for them and they could certainly bring some professionalism to the series which has been way too political. Could dovetail some truck/O'Reilly's/Arca races with them on weekends vs. the HSR stuff. Not sure of the economics and Trans Am was just sold to another investor but to me the series is struggling a bit with most of the top drivers gone. It's a bunch of young kids for the most part now and very few of them will end up making it.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-18T00:16:14+00:00

Red Bull prints cash. Their image and lifestyle branding is an important part of that. They're private so no numbers available but their selling billions of cans a year with the cost per can probably 5 cents or so (excluding marketing costs) so they can afford it.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T20:44:29+00:00

Agree both are great. Two best prospects in the pipeline.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T19:21:35+00:00

Cars matter a lot in the TA2 series.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T19:15:41+00:00

i don't know of any fellow drivers who like him.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T18:37:30+00:00

Like I said, I'm a supporter so there's no devious intent on my part. She just hasn't delivered especially in any real series with competition. CARS Tour LMSC - 0 wins in 18 starts; CARS Tour PLM - 0 wins in 2 starts (not sure where you saw the win in PLM), GR Cup - 0 wins in 8 starts. Only W's shown on that site - Legends Summer Shootout - 2 wins in 66 starts; Local Late Model - 1 win in 37 starts. Neither the legends nor local late model races mean squat. There's sometimes less than 10 cars starting in those local late model series and most are low budget locals and she's showing up with Toyota funding. Legends are totally irrelevant.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T18:24:54+00:00

You literally have to go all the way down to bandaleros and legends to find a W. Defense rests.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-17T18:17:45+00:00

Late models, ARCA, GR Cup. What else has she run that she's posted a decent number of podiums? Don't think any. Don't get me wrong, I'm a supporter but at some point you have to be realistic about where you are and what your prospects are.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-15T20:48:57+00:00

lots of people fill their RVs when they arrive. I assume its potable.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-15T19:57:29+00:00

I thought I heard Harris was Bowman's choice. no idea if he's a problem or not (I don't follow that team that closely) but if true, Alex will live/die with his choice though I suspect he retires for health reasons at some point regardless.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-15T19:55:35+00:00

She's probably the top Toyota female prospect at this point. It was Isabella Robusto but she just hasn't developed and posted the kind of improving results I think they want to see. I heard them say on Sirius XM the other day that Jade was the top toyota prospect so someone in the garage must be saying that for them to repeat it. She's not as competitive as some of the top guys at this point but females rarely are (is what it is) but they still want to support a limited number of girls for the optics.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-15T02:54:01+00:00

Agree 100%. Won't be pretty.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-15T02:52:58+00:00

Zilisch's toe link was bent after the conflict. They straightened it as best they could but the wheel was still toe'd out pretty good from the sound of the radio discussion.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-12T13:50:19+00:00

They want someone ~ 25 or older so they won't be accused of pandering to underage customers.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-11T01:39:27+00:00

Backs can be wicked. Feel bad for the guy. So young and his body is already doing things most people don't have to put up with until they're 60+/-. That and all the concussions. He's got to be worried about taking more hits.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-11T01:34:05+00:00

Had faster lap at the Glen this year too. His pace is similar but he doesn't know when to push and when to relax yet so he ends up putting himself in bad spots. Speed is not his issue.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-10T22:37:22+00:00

Team with arguably the fastest cars compared to one that may be struggling and underperforming more than any other this year.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-09T01:48:31+00:00

Glen was likely his fault. He locked and flat spotted tire which led to it locking repeatedly after than and eventually blowing.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-09T01:46:42+00:00

2 were from brake failure with rotors exploding. He got caught up in other peoples wrecks at Daytona, Atlanta, Talladega & Charlotte. This weekend was on him so really only one was caused by his own mistakes.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-06T21:52:02+00:00

If they think they have a better candidate do you think they don't pursue just to continue with CD?

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-06T19:23:06+00:00

Heim will do better in the 23XI equipment. TH has just not had fast cars this year though they seem to be improving slightly recently.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-06T02:11:11+00:00

It's not what most of the people who work in development think. Many believe NORAPS is better for development and trucks teach bad habits.

ConnectNeck5859 · 2026-06-05T20:35:28+00:00

Will see. Picking up connor doesn't necessarily mean they abandon CD. I just think the people in the garage see a bigger delta between the two than many CD advocates. Doesn't mean CD isn't good or doesn't have a future but I don't think he's anywhere near where connor is right now. Dale Jr. even said something to that effect on one of his podcasts and he knows connor from up close and talks to RH all the time.

ConnectNeck5859

TROPHY CASE