Continuing their support of Joe Gibbs Racing and growing the next generation of drivers, Sport Clips has signed on to sponsor Erik Jones and the No. 20 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. This will mark Jones first series start at the 2.66-mile track and first time representing long-time JGR partner Sport Clips.
“I’m excited to have Sport Clips on the car this weekend at Talladega,” said Jones. “They’ve been a great partner to JGR and I’m looking forward to representing them this weekend and hopefully we can get them a win for their first race on the No. 20 Camry this season.”
Jones has one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway where he started the race from the sixth position and led one lap before crossing the finish line in the sixth position.
This weekend’s start at Talladega Superspeedway will mark Jones’ ninth start of the 2015 season. With an impressive start to the year, the 18-year-old Byron, Michigan native has recorded one win, three poles, five top-five finishes, five top-10 finishes and an average start of 3.8 and an average finish of 9.6. Jones has led 90 laps on his way to completing 97.9 percent of attempted laps.
Earlier this season, Sport Clips announced they would expand their partnership to include two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races with Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team, as well as JGR newcomer Carl Edwards for two NSCS races with the No. 19 NSCS team. Hamlin will also carry the Sport Clips colors for one NXS race this season at the Sport Clips-sponsored Help A Hero 200 night race at Darlington Raceway on September 5.
In addition to sponsoring Jones at Talladega Superspeedway, Sport Clips will sponsor JGR development driver Cody Coughlin for the ARCA Racing Series race on Friday afternoon. This will be the second time this season Sport Clips has adorned Coughlin’s Toyota in the ARCA Series.
No. 20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry News and Notes:
- JGR AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has 34 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the famed Talladega Superspeedway since making their debut at the track in 1998 with Tony Stewart. In those 34 starts, the team has earned five wins (Elliott Sadler – 2014; Joey Logano – 2012; Tony Stewart – 2008; Kyle Busch – 2007; Mike McLaughlin – 2001), 11 top-five finishes, 14 top-10 finishes and four poles. The team has led 260 laps and completed 3,446 of 3,997 attempted laps (86.2 %). The team has an average of start of 11.0 and an average finish of 16.9.
- RACE INFO: The Winn-Dixie 300 at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Watch and listen live on Fox, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.
Jones’ 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Season Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Earnings | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 8 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 92 | $367,025 | 3.8 | 9.6 |
Jones’ Career NASCAR XFINITY Series Stats:
| Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Laps Led | Earnings | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish |
| 11 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 92 | $462,027 | 3.9 | 8.9 |
From the Cockpit:
Erik Jones: “Talladega is a different animal than what we have run all year. I feel like our superspeedway program was pretty strong back in Daytona and hopefully we can keep that going. We had to build some new cars, but it should be pretty good. Talladega is always interesting. It’s hard to put yourself in a good position, but if we are able too, I think we will be looking for a win and trying to do our best to stay up front and in the hunt.”
From the Pit Box:
Mike Wheeler: “Talladega is always an exciting race to watch and be a part of. I know Erik Jones enjoys superspeedway racing and that’s at least half the battle if you want to run up front. It’s nice having Sport Clips back on board one of our cars and looking forward to continuing to run up front like we have been for the last few weeks. If we can stay out of the trouble, I know we’ll have a chance at the end of the day.”
No. 20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry / Joe Gibbs Racing Team:
Driver – Erik Jones
Crew Chief – Mike Wheeler
Car Chief – Leo Thorsen
Engineer – Sam McCaulay
Engineer – Ryan Bowers
Engine Tuner – Roger Purcell
Mechanic – Tony Hamm
Mechanic – Ryan Martin
Tire Specialist – Lee Herendeen
Spotter – Tony Hirschman
Gasman – Kenneth Purcell
Jackman – Tracy Duncan
Front Tire Changer – Dustin Necaise
Front Tire Carrier – Brandon Pegram
Rear Tire Changer – Mike Hicks
Rear Tire Carrier – Heath Cherry
Truck Driver – David Ott
Starts
Wins
Top 5
Top 10
Poles
Laps Led
Earnings
Avg. Start
Avg. Finish
11
1
5
8
3
92
$462,027
3.9
8.9