Brandon_Jones_(racing_driver)

Brandon Jones (racing driver)

Brandon Jones (racing driver)

American racing driver (born 1997)


Brandon Alexander Jones[1] (born February 18, 1997) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, as well as part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet SS for Cook Racing Technologies. He has also competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series East in the past.

Quick Facts Born, NASCAR Xfinity Series career ...

He was formerly a development driver for the now defunct Eddie Sharp Racing and Turner Scott Motorsports teams as well as GMS Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Racing career

Jones at Richmond International Raceway in 2013.

Jones began racing in 2010 at age 13, under the supervision of short track racer Bubba Gale and his son former KHI development driver Cale Gale. Jones would race full-time in 2011 in the pro truck divisions at Lanier Raceplex and Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia, winning track points championships at both facilities. Jones raced in late models for Eddie Sharp Racing in 2012, competing in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) and United Auto Racing Association (UARA) series. Jones would make his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East later that year at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, finishing 14th in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet after wrecking on the last lap while running in fifth place. In 2013 at the age of 15, Jones signed a contract to drive for Turner Motorsports (later Turner Scott Motorsports) to run the full UARA season, the PASS Series, six races in the K&N East Series and one in the West series, and selected NASCAR Late Model Stock races. Cale Gale and Mike Greci would serve as crew chiefs for Jones.[2][3][4] Jones would also make his national series debut in the Camping World Truck Series for TSM, running the No. 33 truck for the team beginning at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.[3][5] Jones finished 27th at Bristol, 20th at Iowa, and 19th at Martinsville.

Jones at Kentucky Speedway in September 2015

In 2014, Jones would move into the K&N Pro Series East full-time for Turner Scott Motorsports, joining fellow teenager Ben Rhodes. Jones also ran an expanded Truck Series schedule and select ARCA Racing Series events. Jones' efforts would be headed by another former driver Shane Huffman.[6] Jones won his debut ARCA race at Winchester Speedway, scored a second win at Indianapolis Raceway Park and finished third at Madison International Speedway.[7][8] He would score his first K&N Pro Series win at Iowa Speedway in August, holding off former teammate Kenzie Ruston and Cole Custer.[9] After 14 of 16 races in the K&N East Series and three Truck Series races, which included a fourth-place finish at Dover, Jones would part ways with TSM due to internal issues in the organization, joining Richard Childress Racing for the remaining K&N races.[8] Jones would run the 33 truck for GMS Racing in two additional races, sponsored by Rheem brand Russell.[10][11] He would finish 4th in the K&N Pro Series East standings.[12]

Jones' No. 33 at Road America in 2016

For 2015, RCR signed Jones to a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, sharing the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro with Childress' grandson Austin Dillon and Paul Menard. When Jones raced in his final Xfinity race in 2015, he scored his first top 5 and his career-best finish as a 5th place outing. Jones also ran a part-time schedule in the ARCA Racing Series,[12] sharing the No. 25 Menards Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports with ARCA legend Frank Kimmel.[13] In January, it was announced that Jones would return to GMS Racing for 16 Truck Series races in 2015.[14][15] Jones also ran select K&N Pro Series East races for NTS Motorsports.[16] On September 24, RCR announced that Jones would begin competing full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2016.[17] Jones also joined Ranier Racing to compete part-time in the Truck Series, driving the No. 71.[18][19] Jones started the season with a 7th-place finish after being involved in the first crash at Daytona. Then at Talladega, Jones had his breakout race, leading the most laps, 31 total, then finishing 18th.

To start 2017, Jones won his first career Xfinity Series pole at Daytona with a speed of 184.472 mph. In the race, Jones would run in the top 10 up until lap 29 when he was hit in the right rear by Justin Allgaier. This caused Jones to turn hard right into the SAFER Barrier nearly head-on at 185 mph. He walked away from the crash unharmed. In an interview following, Jones called the crash "The hardest hit I've ever had." Jones later have a dismal 2017 season with 8 DNF's and not making it into the Playoffs. There is speculation as to whether the No. 33 was an R&D setup car.

Jones' No. 19 at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2019

On November 15, 2017, it was announced that Jones would replace Matt Tifft at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2018.[20] Tifft signed with RCR, making it a de facto driver swap. After 17 top 10s, two top fives, and his second career pole at Dover in May, he finished 9th in final points after being eliminated in the Round of 12 in the playoffs.

In 2019, Jones once again made it to the playoffs but was eliminated in the Round of 12. Despite being eliminated, he scored his first win at Kansas.[21]

Jones began the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season with two straight top-ten finishes.[22] After winning the pole in the third race at Auto Club Speedway,[23] he scored his second career Xfinity win the following week at Phoenix Raceway after passing Kyle Busch with 20 laps remaining.[24]

On October 13, 2020, Jones was confirmed for another season with JGR's Xfinity team.[25]

On April 8, 2022, Jones won at Martinsville with a last lap pass over the night's most dominant driver Ty Gibbs, earning his first win since 2020, his first win of the 2022 season, and the fifth win of his Xfinity Series career. At the Martinsville playoff race, Jones took the lead on the final overtime lap when Gibbs dumped him from behind for the win, resulting in a 23rd place finish and an elimination in the Round of 8.[26]

On May 25, 2022, it was announced that Jones would return to the ARCA Menards Series to run five races (Charlotte, Iowa, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Bristol) in the No. 81 car for Joe Gibbs Racing. The races at Iowa and Bristol were also combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East, which was previously the K&N Pro Series East, marking Jones' first starts in that series since 2019. Although JGR sold their ARCA team to Kyle Busch Motorsports before the start of the 2022 season, this entry would be a JGR car and not a KBM car.[27]

Jones at Auto Club Speedway in 2023

On September 14, 2022, it was announced that Jones would return to a Chevrolet-based team, JR Motorsports, in 2023, replacing Noah Gragson, who moved to Legacy Motor Club' No. 42 car full-time.[28][29]

Personal life

Brandon Jones is the son of JR Jones,[14][18][30] President and CEO of Rheem Comfort Products, which has sponsored Jones,[18][31] Kevin Harvick, Turner Scott Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and several other teams through their Rheem, RUUD, Richmond, and Russel/HTPG brands.[14][18][32]

Jones graduated from Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, North Carolina.[3][33]

He is married to Ashley Jones.[34]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

More information NASCAR Xfinity Series results, Year ...

Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series

More information NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results, Year ...

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series East

More information ARCA Menards Series East results, Year ...

ARCA Menards Series West

More information ARCA Menards Series West results, Year ...

References

  1. "Team Event Rosters – Texas Motor Speedway – Saturday, October 24, 2020" (PDF). NASCAR. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  2. "Brandon Jones Bio". www.brandonjonesracing.com. Brandon Jones Racing. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  3. Press Release (January 3, 2013). "BRANDON JONES TO DRIVE FOR TURNER MOTORSPORTS IN 2013" (PDF). Brandon Jones Racing. Mooresville, North Carolina: Turner Scott Motorsports. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  4. Moody, Dave (August 14, 2013). "Brandon Jones Set For Truck Series Debut". GodfatherMotorsports.com. GodfatherMotorsports.com. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  5. "Car number 4 in 2014: ARCA Racing Series Results". racing-reference.info. racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  6. Ramsell, Kevin (September 12, 2014). "Brandon Jones On A Roller Coaster Ride in 2014". Speed51.com. Speed51.com. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  7. Tejada, John (August 1, 2014). "Jones Finally Gets First Victory". hometracks.nascar.com. Newton, Iowa: NASCAR. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  8. "Brandon Jones to Finish NCWTS Season with GMS Racing". Pitgrit.com. Liberty Alliance, LLC. October 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  9. Press Release (October 14, 2014). "Brandon Jones to Join GMS Racing for the Remainder of the 2014 NCWTS Season". Catchfence.com. Charlotte, North Carolina: Catchfence.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  10. Staff Report (November 3, 2014). "CHILDRESS TAPS BRANDON JONES FOR 2015 DUTY". nascar.com. NASCAR. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. Wolkin, Joseph (April 14, 2015). "Spencer Gallagher rising through the ranks". motorsport.com. motorsport.com. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  12. "Brandon Jones joins GMS Racing for 2015 season". GMS Racing. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  13. "Jones to Race Full-Time for RCR in 2016". The Shawnee News-Star. September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  14. Wolkin, Joseph (May 19, 2016). "Brandon Jones Focused on RCR with High School in the Rear-view". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  15. "Brandon Jones to Run Some Truck Races". Star-News. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  16. "Joe Gibbs Racing 2018 XFINITY lineup: Brandon Jones in fold | NASCAR.com". Official Site Of NASCAR. November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  17. "Brandon Jones upends playoff picture with first Xfinity win at Kansas". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  18. "Brandon Jones – 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  19. McFadin, Daniel (February 29, 2020). "Brandon Jones wins Xfinity pole at Auto Club Speedway". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  20. Rutherford, Kevin (October 13, 2020). "Brandon Jones Returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in Xfinity in 2021". Frontstretch. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  21. Spencer, Reid (October 29, 2022). "Ty Gibbs wins Xfinity Series race at Martinsville; Championship 4 set". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  22. Christie, Toby (September 14, 2022). "Brandon Jones Moving From Joe Gibbs Racing to JR Motorsports For 2023". TobyChristie.com.
  23. "Brandon Jones reveals he will drive for JR Motorsports in 2023". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  24. Kenzie Ruston PR (September 25, 2013). "Kenzie Ruston Ready to Tame the Monster Mile". Gokenzie.com. Gokenzie.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  25. GMS Racing (November 3, 2015). "Brandon Jones Looks to Continue Strong Run Deep in the Heart of Texas". Catchfence.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  26. Press Release (2008). "Rheem Appoints JR Jones President and Chief Executive Officer". Rheem.com. Rheem. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  27. "NASCAR Brandon Jones Wife Ashley Jones- Married Life". playerbios.com. Samyak Shah. June 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  28. "Brandon Jones – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  29. "Brandon Jones – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  30. "Brandon Jones – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  31. "Brandon Jones – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  32. "Brandon Jones – 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  33. "Brandon Jones – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  34. "Brandon Jones – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  35. "Brandon Jones – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  36. "Brandon Jones – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  37. "Brandon Jones – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  38. "Brandon Jones – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  39. "Brandon Jones – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  40. "Brandon Jones – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  41. "Brandon Jones – 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  42. "Brandon Jones – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  43. "Brandon Jones – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  44. "Brandon Jones – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  45. "Brandon Jones – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  46. "Brandon Jones – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  47. "Brandon Jones – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  48. "Brandon Jones – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  49. "Brandon Jones – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  50. "Brandon Jones – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  51. "Brandon Jones – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  52. "Brandon Jones – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  53. "Brandon Jones – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  54. "Brandon Jones – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  55. "Brandon Jones – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  56. "Brandon Jones – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  57. "Brandon Jones – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  58. "Brandon Jones – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  59. "Brandon Jones – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 22, 2018.

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