Erik Jones refused to be denied his first victory of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, holding off a hard-charging Kyle Busch to win the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
In his 100th career MENCS start, Jones donned a throwback paint scheme of his first late model. It was a late model which Jones raced in 2012 when he defeated Kyle Busch in the Snowball Derby. This placed his name on Busch’s radar and ultimately led to a full-time NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series ride driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Seven years later, Jones held off Kyle Busch once again, this time at the highest level in NASCAR.
After starting 15th, Jones moved up into the Top 10 at the end of the first two stages. A multi-car crash including Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson brought out the caution on Lap 276. Jones took the lead away from Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch on the following restart and never looked back, leading 79 of the 367 laps in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Jones Makes Statement in Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
The 23 year old driver from Byron, Michigan earns his second career victory racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. After struggles plagued the No. 20 team early in the season, speculation on Jones’s future at JGR came into question with Christopher Bell primed for a Cup ride next season.
“There’s been a lot of doubt and speculation, and I put my heart and soul into this and this race team,” said Jones on the frontstretch after the race. “It doesn’t get any better, on my list this race is pretty high and it’s going to look damn nice to see my face on that trophy.”
. “It doesn’t get any better, on my list this race is pretty high and it’s going to look damn nice to see my face on that trophy.”
Jones answered the call, finishing in the Top 5 in five of his last seven races, including the victory at Darlington Raceway. Jones is slated to remain the driver of the No. 20 JGR team for 2020, while Bell is taking over the No. 95 driving for Leavine Family Racing next season. While questions remain for 2021, Erik Jones is showing he deserves a ride at JGR and has the talent to be successful for years to come in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
