CONCORD, NC. – Entering the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase with a series-leading four wins and the 12 bonus points that came with them, Erik Jones seemed like an absolute lock to make the playoffs’ Round of 8 if not the Championship 4.
He sure doesn’t look like a lock right now.
Jones goes into Friday’s Drive for the Cure 300 Chase cutoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (8 p.m. ET on NBCSN) four points below Brennan Poole on the cutoff line. If he can’t make up those points, he will be eliminated from championship contention.
Jones dug himself into his current predicament by finishing 28th at Kentucky and 16th at Dover. In three career starts at Charlotte, Jones has finished 15th (spring 2015), second (fall 2015) and 31st (spring 2016).
“We have a good team, we just have to do it right,” Jones said. “I know this 20 team builds fast cars and I know this weekend at Charlotte will be no different. We just need to go out and execute and hopefully get into the next round. A lot of work and a lot of pressure, but I think we can do it.”
Source: Staff Report / NASCAR Wire Service
