Special from Erik Jones Racing

15-Year Old Jones Will Take on World Crown, Governor's Cup and Snowflake in Coming Weeks

After becoming the first JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion just a few short weeks ago, Erik Jones has now announced his post-season plans for his Erik Jones Racing Late Model team. Jones plans to compete in both the Pro and Super Late Model portions of the World Crown 300 at Georgia’s Gresham Motorsports Park, the Governor's Cup at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, as well as the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 at Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway.

"It’s really cool," said Jones of his busy late-season schedule. "It’s been a fun year in an inaugural series and to actually win a championship – it’s great to win a touring championship like that. That was definitely our goal. And to get a championship under my belt in a full-bodied stock car is amazing. I’m really excited to actually be able to keep going here and start going for wins, not racing for points anymore.

"We have some really cool races and I’m excited about the line up," explained Jones. "Our next race is going to be the World Crown 300. It’s going to be my first Super Late Model race and actually I’m going to run the Pro race as well and give it a shot at sweeping the weekend."

Jones’ first Super Late Model start will come at a track he’s never even seen before. But thanks to his JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship, he is guaranteed a starting spot in both the Pro and Super Late Model portions of the event.

"I’ve never actually been to Gresham but from what I’ve heard it’s a pretty cool place," said Jones. "It’s fast and I’ve heard a few people describe it as having Toledo-type banking and Toledo’s one of my favorite tracks so that’s exciting.

"Then after that we’re going to be heading down to the Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna to run that race," explained Jones. "I’ve been to New Smyrna one time, that was the first ever track I ran a Late Model at. It’s quite a cool place and it’s one of my favorite tracks, for sure."

Despite a full plate of Pro and Super Late Model races in the closing weeks of the 2011 season, Jones and his team have decided to sit out the 44th Annual Snowball Derby, choosing only to compete in the Snowflake 100 prelim on Saturday, December 3rd to get ready for a run at the Derby in 2012.

"This year we just want to sit back and watch the Derby," said Jones. "We want to make sure that when we do decide to run it we’re really prepared for that race."

Not only is it impressive what Jones has already accomplished and is now taking on at just 15 years old, but it is equally as impressive that he’s done it all with a crew chief that is just four years older than he is.

"Butch VanDoorn is coming on full time and he’s going to be the crew chief for all of these big events as well as everything we’re doing next year," said Jones. "It’s definitely a great relationship that’s been working out really well for us.

"Next year we’re going to travel all over," explained Jones. "Wherever the biggest race of the weekend is, that’s where we’re going, which will include several CRA races. We’re probably going to be running mostly the Super (Late Model), but I’m sure we’ll have some Pro Late Model races as well. I know for sure next year the first two events we’re going to run SpeedFest (at Georgia’s Lanier National Speedway), the Baby Rattler (Pro Late Model) and the Rattler (at South Alabama Speedway)."

Jones and his EJR #4 team will kick off their stacked post-season schedule at the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 and the Rheem World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park on November 12-13. The Erik Jones Racing Team is pleased to announce that they will continue to receive support from their valued partners: Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Penske Racing Shocks, Fluidyne, CG Financial Services and Simpson Racing Products. Our thanks to our partners for making our 2011 championship possible.