DAYTONA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2019)
Box Score Info:
RACE: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – Advance Auto Parts Clash
TRACK: Daytona International Speedway
DRIVER: Erik Jones
CAR: No. 20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry
START: 20th
FINISH: 20th
LAPS: 56/75
Post-Race Highlights:
· For the annual Advance Auto Parts Clash, 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams competed in Sunday’s exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway. Erik Jones and the No. 20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry team started the rain-shortened race and finished 20th after a 17-car accident on lap 56.
· Dodging rain showers in the area, the race was red flagged two times on lap nine and again on lap 42.
· The final restart of the race came on lap 46 with Jones in the 11th position. Shuffling out of line, Jones fell to the back of the field and unfortunately, when the leaders tangled on lap 56, Jones was unable to avoid the carnage and was involved in the 17-car accident. The race was placed under caution and with rain moving back in before the race resumed, the race was called on lap 59.
· Teams now turn their attention to the Daytona 500 with qualifying races on Thursday, February 14, to set the starting line-up for the 61st running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 17, 2019.
Post-Race Thoughts:
ERIK JONES, No. 20 Sport Clips Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
What happened from your vantage point?
“I didn’t see very good. I haven’t seen a replay, but it looks like the 48 and the 21 were pushing and just got caught up. We were kind of mid pack and kind of got pushed into the wreck, so it’s unfortunate. Our Sports Clip Camry was pretty good, we just could never really get up front. I think we learned some good stuff for next week which is a positive, so we’ll apply it and hopefully be good Sunday.”
What was it like drafting with a larger pack of cars?
“Everybody was getting more and more aggressive. We knew the rain was coming. Everybody gets pushing and shoving and things get moved around. The car drove really good which is a positive for me at least. We’ll keep working on it and hopefully have a good car for the 500.”