Erik Jones battles for one million dollars at the All-Star Race (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. – During the NASCAR All-Star race on Sunday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 STP Chevrolet Camaro, steadily drove his way through the field to an eighth place finish from his 21st starting position.
During Friday’s practice, Jones seemed to struggle, posting a lap time 0.901 seconds slower than the fastest lap around the historic short track. On Saturday night, Jones took the checkered flag in 11th place in Heat Race No. 1.
However, those struggles did not appear to last long after the green flag dropped for the race on Sunday night.
In fact, by just Lap 3, Jones worked his way up to the 15th position in the field. About halfway through the race, Jones settled his car into the top 10.
Jones obtained the respectable top eight finish at a track that very few drivers have experience on. Notably, the track has also just recently been reborn as the NASCAR Cup Series raced on it again for the first time since Sept. 29, 1996.
Erik Jones races during Heat Race No. 1 on Saturday night. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)
Such a solid finish at a revitalized track is impressive for anyone, let alone a 26- year-old driver who was a mere four months old the last time the track saw a major race. Moreover, the Michigan native appeared to have taken a relative liking to the five eighths mile track throughout the 200-lap night race, however, with his strong results.
Following the 200-lap race, Jones reflected on a strong evening for the No. 43 STP Chevrolet team.
“Solid day at the NASCAR All-Star race for starting in the back of the field,” Jones said. “Bringing the car home eighth with the No. 43 STP Chevrolet was a good finish for us.
“We can probably apply what we learned over the weekend at North Wilkesboro to some upcoming short track racing. At least we were in the ballpark tonight.”
The solid finish to the All-Star race is sure to be much welcomed by Jones and his team after several more challenging weeks with a 25th place finish at Darlington, a 21st place finish at Kansas along with a 16th place finish at Dover.
Jones seems to have put all of those finishes aside, however, during Sunday night in the battle for $1 million. Although he did not win the race, Jones seems to pick up imperative details quickly and capitalized on his knowledge and savvy.
