CRA/JEGS All-Star Tour race at the historic Rockford Speedway in Loves
Park, IL.
The six races so
far
in the 2011 season have proved that the Byron, MI native, who cannot
legally drive to or from the race track, is nothing short of the real
deal. With this victory Erik Jones can add to his racing resume that
he is the youngest driver to win a CRA/JEGS All-Star tour race at 15
years of age and the youngest winner in a late model race at Rockford
Speedway. He has already claimed that same title in the ASA Late Model
Serie races at Dixie Motor Speedway and at LaCrosse Speedway during
the 2010 season while he was only 14 years old.
"Yesterday was a good day from the time we
rolled off of the trailer", proclaimed an excited Jones. "We had a
great qualifying run and my crew chief, Butch VanDoorn, gave me a
great racecar like always."
Jones started the day strong by being the
fastest car on the track during practice sessions. Then claiming the
Keyser Manufacturing Fast Qualifier Award Jones was well on his way to
sweeping the weekend. Yet, to make that happen he would need to prove
his racing ability by starting in the eighth position due to the
invert. With willpower and patience he drove the high side of the
track and found himself in the third position by lap 31 of 100.
On lap 32 as a heated battle for the lead
between Trent Snyder and Eddie Hoffman ended with the two of them
tangling, Jones went high avoiding the two cars spinning and was able
to take the lead. From lap 33 to 100 there would be six more cautions
but no other driver was able to take the position away allowing the
teenager to sweep the weekend.
"It really means a lot to win at a track
like Rockford that has so much history. I have to thank my whole team
for not giving up this year, and we finally got a win!"
This was the 64th year of
operations for Rockford Speedway and the 20th running of
the "All-Star 100" presented by Stanley Steemer. On the same
high-banked quarter mile oval legends like Bobby Allison, Joe Shear,
Dick Trickle, and Mark Martin have captured the checkered flag. Added
now to the list is a 15-year-old wheelman, Erik Jones.
Next up for the Erik Jones Racing team will
be the treacherous high-banked half mile of Winchester Speedway on
August 20th.
Erik Jones and his #4 Chevrolet Impala are
accompanied with an unparalleled pit crew that consists of: Butch
VanDoorn, Branden Lines, Adam Chase, Barry Bramblett and Phil Throop.
As well as the finest sponsorships from Paragon Corvette
Reproductions, Simpson Race Products, CG Financial, Penske Race
Shocks, Snap Fitness, and Image Projections.
To learn more about Erik Jones, check out
his website at
