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Christian Eckes
Eckes at Daytona International Speedway in 2023
BornChristian Donald Eckes
(2000-11-10) November 10, 2000 (age 24)
Middletown, New York, U.S.[1]
Achievements2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Regular Season Champion
2019 ARCA Menards Series Champion
2016 Snowball Derby Winner
2016 Myrtle Beach 400 Winner
Awards2016 CARS Late Model Stock Tour Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
Car no., teamNo. 16 (Kaulig Racing)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
114 races run over 7 years
2024 position3rd
Best finish3rd (2024)
First race2018 M&M's 200 (Iowa)
Last race2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
First win2021 Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 (Las Vegas)
Last win2024 Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 (Martinsville)
Wins Top tens Poles
9 73 9
ARCA Menards Series career
46 races run over 4 years
Best finish1st (2019)
First race2016 Music City 200 (Fairgrounds)
Last race2019 Kansas ARCA 150 (Kansas)
First win2018 Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 (Salem)
Last win2019 Kansas ARCA 150 (Kansas)
Wins Top tens Poles
7 35 4
ARCA Menards Series East career
3 races run over 1 year
Best finish31st (2016)
First race2016 ComServe Wireless 150 (Dominion)
Last race2016 United Site Services 70 (Loudon)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
Statistics current as of November 8, 2024.

Christian Donald Eckes (pronounced "eck-iss"; born November 10, 2000) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing. Eckes is the 2019 ARCA Menards Series champion, won the Snowball Derby in 2016, and was formerly a development driver for JR Motorsports and later Toyota.

Racing career

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Early years

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Eckes grew up in Greenville, New York. He began racing Legends Cars at thirteen years old and later moved up to racing late model stock cars and super late models.[2] In 2015, Eckes began racing late models for JR Motorsports, as well as super late models for LFR Chassis as one of their driver development program drivers.[3][4] He made his ARCA Racing Series debut at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in April 2016, driving for Venturini Motorsports.[5] He finished eighth, the only top-ten in four ARCA races that year.[6] Eckes also made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at Dominion Raceway and ran two further events in the series that year.[7][8] Eckes capped off his season by winning three races in a row, including a triumph in the Snowball Derby held at Five Flags Speedway where he beat John Hunter Nemechek.[9][10] Although some reports pegged him as the youngest winner, those reports were erroneous, as Chase Elliott won the event in 2011 at age fifteen while Eckes was sixteen when he triumphed.[11]

ARCA successes & first foray into Trucks

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Eckes and Venturini remained together for the following two seasons, partaking in ten races of the ARCA Racing Series during 2017 and 13 the year after.[12][13] He triumphed for the first time at Salem Speedway in April 2018, keeping teammate Chandler Smith at bay over the closing portion of the event to secure the victory.[14] He followed up with wins at Illinois State Fairgrounds and Indianapolis Raceway Park during the year, making him the driver with the second-most wins that season despite missing seven races.

In the week following the win at Salem, Eckes landed a deal with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team Kyle Busch Motorsports to drive the team's No. 46 entry in four races in the 2018 season, starting at Iowa Speedway in June.[15] He led his first laps in the series at Iowa and took his first stage win during stage 2 at the following race in Gateway, though he later crashed out of the contest. In total, Eckes's first four starts in the Truck Series included 38 laps led and three finishes inside the top ten.[16]

Eckes beside his 2019 ARCA car at Madison

In 2019, Eckes embarked on a full-time campaign in the newly renamed ARCA Menards Series in the No. 15 Venturini car.[17] Despite missing the Salem race in April due to an esophageal tear in his trachea, he went on to win the championship with four wins, 13 top fives, and 17 top tens in 19 starts.[18] Eckes was the first ARCA champion to not run every race since Tim Steele in 1997.[19] During the same year, Eckes also ran eight races in the Truck Series with KBM's No. 51 truck.[20] Thanks to his three top five finishes, including a decisive third place at the Homestead season finale, Eckes helped the No. 51 crew towards the owners' championship, which was the seventh for the KBM team overall.[21]

First full-time Truck year, maiden victory, second full season

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The following year, Eckes joined the team's No. 18 truck for the entirety of the 2020 season.[22] After five results inside the top five, including runner-up finishes at Texas, Kansas, and Michigan, Eckes made the NASCAR playoffs. However, he was eliminated after the first round, retiring in a last-lap pileup at the Talladega cut-off race.[23] Eckes notably had a verbal and physical altercation with Ben Rhodes, who had spun him out on purpose at the fall Texas race.[24] He finished with a winless season and an eighth-place finish in the standings.

In 2021, Eckes moved to ThorSport Racing after being replaced at KBM by Chandler Smith.[25] He entered 10 races of the 22-race season, sharing the schedule with Grant Enfinger.[26] Eckes managed to finish inside the top five on five occasions and would take his maiden win in the Truck Series at Las Vegas, besting Todd Gilliland during a late restart and being saved from an attack by Ben Rhodes by a caution that ended the race.[27]

Eckes' No. 98 truck at Sonoma Raceway in 2022

Eckes progressed to a full-time schedule in 2022, driving the No. 98 after Enfinger moved back to GMS Racing.[28] Though he did not win any races that year, Eckes finished eighth in the standings, scoring 15 top tens.[29]

Truck Series title threat

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Eckes' No. 19 truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

On December 6, 2022, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced that Eckes would pilot the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado in 2023, replacing Derek Kraus. Eckes started the season with a third-place finish at Daytona, before going on to win at Atlanta and Darlington — where he triumphed dominantly following five races with either a 15th place or a DNF — during the regular season.[30][31] The first round of the playoffs turned out to be commanding, as Eckes finished second and third at IRP and Milwaukee respectively before making an outside pass on Corey Heim and Zane Smith after a late restart to win at Kansas.[32] However, Heim would get his revenge at Bristol by passing a dominant Eckes with five laps to go; Eckes would finish second.[33] Eckes was eliminated at the conclusion of the Round of 8 at Homestead, having finished 20th.[34] He won two weeks later at Phoenix and finished fifth in the final points standings.[35]

Eckes started the 2024 season with a 10th-place finish at Daytona. Throughout the season, he won at Bristol, Martinsville, and Nashville, and claimed the regular season championship.[36][37][38][39] During the playoffs, Eckes won at Martinsville to make the Championship 4, albeit with controversy: though Eckes had dominated the race, winning both stages, a late caution allowed Taylor Gray to pass him during the subsequent restart.[40] Eckes moved Gray up the racetrack aggressively and made a similar move to prevent Ben Rhodes from winning moments later, causing Gray to confront Eckes after the finish.[41] The following week, Eckes finished third at Phoenix to claim third in the standings, being beaten by Heim and eventual champion Ty Majeski who had dominated the event.[42]

Xfinity Series

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On August 31, 2024, it was announced that Eckes will move up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2025, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing.[43]

Personal life

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Eckes was born on November 10, 2000, to George and Darlene Eckes. He has an older sister, Erica. Eckes attended George Washington University Online High School.[2]

Motorsports career results

[edit]

NASCAR

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2025 Kaulig Racing 16 Chevy DAY ATL COA PHO LVS HOM MAR DAR BRI CAR TAL TEX CLT NSH MXC POC ATL CSC SON DOV IND IOW GLN DAY PIR GTW BRI KAN ROV LVS TAL MAR PHO -* -*

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2018 Kyle Busch Motorsports 46 Toyota DAY ATL LVS MAR DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW
8 		GTW
28 		CHI KEN ELD POC MCH BRI MSP LVS TAL MAR
9 		TEX PHO
9 		HOM 35th 110 [44]
2019 51 DAY
22 		ATL LVS MAR TEX DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW
14* 		CHI KEN POC
4 		ELD
6 		MCH
15 		BRI MSP LVS
3 		TAL MAR
17 		PHO HOM
3 		20th 271 [45]
2020 18 DAY
22 		LVS
23 		CLT
14 		ATL
3 		HOM
8 		POC
33 		KEN
6 		TEX
2 		KAN
13 		KAN
2 		MCH
2 		DRC
12 		DOV
11 		GTW
32 		DAR
5 		RCH
18 		BRI
12 		LVS
8 		TAL
18 		KAN
6 		TEX
25 		MAR
4 		PHO
4 		8th 2238 [46]
2021 ThorSport Racing 98 Toyota DAY DRC
10 		LVS
9 		ATL BRD RCH KAN
4 		DAR COA
35 		CLT
11 		TEX NSH POC
12 		KNX GLN
13 		GTW
31 		DAR BRI LVS
1 		TAL MAR PHO
6 		21st 263 [47]
2022 DAY
3 		LVS
28 		ATL
16 		COA
6 		MAR
12 		BRD
5 		DAR
17 		KAN
5 		TEX
2 		CLT
4 		GTW
2 		SON
35 		KNX
12 		NSH
6 		MOH
5 		POC
8 		IRP
16 		RCH
8 		KAN
10 		BRI
8 		TAL
5* 		HOM
7 		PHO
30 		8th 2230 [48]
2023 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing 19 Chevy DAY
3* 		LVS
6 		ATL
1 		COA
30 		TEX
15 		BRD
30 		MAR
15 		KAN
30 		DAR
1* 		NWS
25 		CLT
6 		GTW
2 		NSH
23 		MOH
3 		POC
7 		RCH
11 		IRP
2 		MLW
3 		KAN
1 		BRI
2* 		TAL
19 		HOM
20 		PHO
1 		5th 2319 [49]
2024 DAY
10 		ATL
32 		LVS
6 		BRI
1* 		COA
8 		MAR
1* 		TEX
4 		KAN
3 		DAR
4 		NWS
6 		CLT
10 		GTW
2 		NSH
1** 		POC
3 		IRP
2* 		RCH
2 		MLW
3* 		BRI
4 		KAN
3 		TAL
6 		HOM
9 		MAR
1* 		PHO
3 		3rd 4034 [50]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2016 Venturini Motorsports 66 Toyota DAY NSH
8 		SLM TAL TOL NJE POC MCH 40th 625 [51]
15 MAD
14 		WIN IOW
11 		IRP
26 		POC BLN ISF DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN
2017 DAY NSH
3 		SLM
8* 		TAL TOL
8 		ELK
2 		POC MCH MAD
5 		IOW
8 		IRP
10 		POC WIN
2 		ISF
6 		ROA DSF SLM
19 		CHI KEN KAN 16th 1980 [52]
2018 DAY NSH
8 		SLM
1 		TAL TOL
21 		CLT POC
11 		MCH MAD GTW
4 		CHI IOW
11 		ELK
2 		POC
13 		ISF
1 		BLN
11 		DSF
4 		SLM
7 		IRP
1* 		KAN 12th 2650 [53]
2019 DAY
4 		FIF
3 		SLM
INQ† 		TAL
26 		NSH
1* 		TOL
3 		CLT
7 		POC
3 		MCH
7 		MAD
7 		GTW
2 		CHI
7 		ELK
11 		IOW
2 		POC
1 		ISF
2 		DSF
1* 		SLM
2 		IRP
2 		KAN
1 		1st 5045 [54]
† – Qualified for the 2019 Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 but was replaced by Harrison Burton due to illness

K&N Pro Series East

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NKNPSEC Pts Ref
2016 LFR Driver Development Group 15 Ford NSM MOB GRE BRI VIR DOM
7 		STA COL
9 		NHA
18 		IOW GLN GRE NJE DOV 31st 98 [55]

References

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  1. ^ "Middletown native signs with Earnhardt team", Times Herald-Record, January 23, 2016
  2. ^ a b Fambro, Cassie (December 20, 2017). "Driving fast, but still in class: Christian Eckes' balancing act". Lake Norman Publications. Stride Learning. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  3. ^ White, Heath (January 12, 2016). "Christian Eckes Joins JRM Late Model Lineup for 2016". Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Christian Eckes, Tanner Gray and Riley Herbst to Represent LFR Driver Development Group at Hickory Motor Speedway – LFR Chassis". www.lfrchassis.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "Christian Eckes Returns to Familiar Grounds for ARCA Season Debut". SpeedwayDigest. April 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  6. ^ "Driver Christian Eckes 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  7. ^ "Eckes Scores Top 10 Finish in Successful K&N East Debut". Speed51. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  8. ^ "Driver Christian Eckes 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Marquis, Andy (April 27, 2017). "Marquis: My Short Track Draft – race22.com". Race22. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  10. ^ Long, Dustin (December 7, 2016). "Christian Eckes wins Snowball Derby". NASCAR Talk. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  11. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry (December 2, 2017). "PREVIEW: Kyle Busch to start 15th in Sunday's 50th Snowball Derby". NASCAR Talk. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Snowball Derby winner Christian Eckes signs with Venturini for 2017". ARCA Racing Series. December 9, 2016. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  13. ^ "Rookie Christian Eckes lookin' up; extends partnership with VMS through 2018". ARCA Racing Series. July 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Radebaugh, Don (April 22, 2018). "Christian Eckes holds off Chandler Smith in ARCA Salem thriller". Autoweek. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  15. ^ McFadin, Daniel (April 26, 2018). "Christian Eckes lands four-race deal with Kyle Busch Motorsports in Truck Series". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  16. ^ "Christian Eckes - 2018 Camping World Truck Series Results". racing-reference.info. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Wilson, Steven B. (October 24, 2018). "Christian Eckes, Venturini Motorsports Together Again for Full ARCA Slate in 2019". Speedway Digest. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  18. ^ McFadin, Daniel (April 15, 2019). "Christian Eckes hospitalized for small tear in trachea, misses ARCA race". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  19. ^ "Christian Eckes wins ARCA Menards Series finale, championship". NASCAR. October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  20. ^ Rutherford, Kevin. "Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones Return to Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Roster". Frontstretch. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  21. ^ "Matt Crafton wins Gander Outdoors Truck title, Austin Hill takes Homestead-Miami victory". jayski.com. November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "Christian Eckes to drive the No. 18 Safelite® Autoglass Tundra in 2020" (Press release). Kyle Busch Motorsports. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  23. ^ "Lessard gets first Trucks win in Talladega elimination race". RACER. October 3, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  24. ^ Cheek, Adam (October 25, 2020). "'KBM Trucks Run Over Everybody': Ben Rhodes Among Drivers Angry As Wrecks Mar Texas Truck Race". Frontstretch. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  25. ^ "Chandler Smith to drive No. 18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2021". NASCAR.com. December 7, 2020.
  26. ^ "ThorSport 2021". February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Stumpf, Stephen (September 24, 2021). "Christian Eckes Scores 1st Career Win in Chaotic Las Vegas Truck Series Race". frontstretch.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  28. ^ "Christian Eckes Returning to ThorSport Racing for Full Season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. February 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "2022 - NASCAR Truck Series Truck Standings - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  30. ^ Spencer, Reid (March 18, 2023). "Christian Eckes powers to overtime Craftsman Trucks victory at Atlanta". NASCAR. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  31. ^ Spencer, Reid (May 12, 2023). "Christian Eckes wins at Darlington for second Truck Series victory of 2023". NASCAR. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  32. ^ Gintz, Alex (September 8, 2023). "Christian Eckes Steals Kansas Win in 2-Lap Shootout". frontstretch.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  33. ^ Watson, Wyatt (September 14, 2023). "Corey Heim Navigates Lapped Traffic, Wins at Bristol". Frontstretch. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  34. ^ Cain, Holly (October 21, 2023). "Carson Hocevar converts Homestead win, joins Rhodes, Heim, Enfinger in Championship 4 field". NASCAR. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  35. ^ Albino, Dustin (November 3, 2023). "Ben Rhodes becomes fifth driver to win multiple Truck Series championships". NASCAR. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  36. ^ "Christian Eckes finds redemption in NASCAR Truck Series win at Bristol". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  37. ^ Spencer, Reid (April 5, 2024). "Christian Eckes survives late-race restarts, dominates Truck Series race at Martinsville". NASCAR. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  38. ^ Cain, Holly (June 28, 2024). "Christian Eckes leads all the way, secures Triple Truck Challenge prize in Nashville triumph". NASCAR. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  39. ^ "Christian Eckes captures Truck Series regular season title with runner-up finish at Richmond". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  40. ^ Spencer, Reid (November 1, 2024). "Christian Eckes wins Truck race at Martinsville to propel into Championship 4; title contenders set". NASCAR. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  41. ^ Albino, Dustin (November 1, 2024). "'Refuse to lose': Christian Eckes bumps Taylor Gray out of way to win Martinsville". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  42. ^ "Ty Majeski wins NASCAR Truck Championship Race to secure first series title". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  43. ^ "Christian Eckes driving full time for Kaulig Racing in 2025 Xfinity Series season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  44. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  45. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  46. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  47. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  48. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  49. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  50. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  51. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  52. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  53. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  54. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  55. ^ "Christian Eckes – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by Snowball Derby Winner
2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by ARCA Menards Series Champion
2019 		Succeeded by
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