BROOKLYN, Mich. – Erik Jones’ stout performance in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 tied a career-best third place finish in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but the rookie still needs a win if he wants to compete in the series’ playoffs come September.
Competing at his hometown track, the weekend was one to remember for the Byron, Mich. native. From qualifying eighth on Friday afternoon to stalking his teammate Martin Truex Jr. for the win, the duo eventually had to settle for second and third after Kyle Larson made a daring move in Turn 1 in NASCAR overtime.
Still, Jones, 21 was a consistent presence inside the top-five throughout the race. With the laps winding down, he trailed Truex Jr. for the hometown win.
Then, a Lap 197 caution changed everything.
Still, before the fifth yellow flag of the afternoon, some thought Truex might let Jones take the lead to allow the organization’s second team into the playoffs.
For Truex, he adamantly said that was never an option.
“We don’t have team orders,” said Truex. “Nobody lets each other win. He’s (Jones) going to win some races. His turn will come.””
“That’s not how we race. “Nobody out there races that way. Nobody is going to give a Cup win up. They’re too hard to get.”
For the final restart of the afternoon, Jones found himself on the inside lane. He managed to stay alongside Truex in the run to the start-finish line but was left trailing after Larson split the two drivers down the middle soaring into Turn 1.
The Michigander went on to finish third, earning his second top-five of the year.
Jones also finished third in the June race at Pocono Raceway after starting 15th.
“It wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be, but I thought we could get a good enough restart where we could at least battle through one and two and hopefully make something happen into three,” Jones said of the final restart.
“Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, both of us couldn’t get going – Martin (Truex Jr.) was spinning his tires and I was spinning my tires. He got a push from the 42 (Kyle Larson) and he passed us both.”
After hovering in second for much of Stage 3, Jones later admitted to the joy of celebrating a first-time win at his home track.
“I did for a few moments and then the 78 (Martin Truex Jr.) really kind of picked it up there the last 50 laps or so and he was really fast,” Jones said. “We were kind of in our own league there for a long time – we were kind of matching lap times, he would go faster and I would go faster. I really thought that whoever was out front was going to win, unfortunately, neither of us got it done.”
Heading to Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend, Jones, the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion sits 16th in the championship standings, 130 points behind Matt Kenseth for the final playoff position.
Unless something disastrous happens over the next three races in the regular 26-race season, Jones will likely have to earn his first career win at Bristol, Darlington Raceway or Richmond Raceway to send the Denver, Colorado second team into the 10-race playoffs come Chicagoland Speedway come Sept. 17.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
