Brandon Jones Brings Home Top-Five Finish at Dover

Brandon Jones made his fifth-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at Dover International Speedway during Friday afternoon’s Lucas Oil 200. Jones had an outstanding day at Dover as he finished fourth, bringing home a career-best finish in the NCWTS. The 17-year-old’s weekend didn’t get off to the best of starts, as Jones was forced to start from the 29th position after rain on Thursday forced the field to be set by the rule book for the event. The starting position wouldn’t affect Jones’ day, however, as he quickly worked his way through the field. By lap 15, Jones was already up to 20th and looked as though he had a truck capable of producing his first-career NCWTS top 10. This was almost halted as Jones was forced to come down pit road, off schedule and under caution, due to some light damage to his right front. After assessing the damage, crew chief Shane Huffman and the No. 33 Exide team determined there was no need for further repairs and allowed Jones to return to the track. The race resumed on lap 28 with Jones in the 26th position. Jones quickly moved back through the field, getting to 20th by lap 40. The 17-year-old continued to methodically work his way through the field, picking off one position after another. By lap 75, Jones was already up to 11th and was one of the only trucks left on the lead lap. When the midway point of the race came at lap 100, Jones had cracked the top 10. The young driver wouldn’t fall outside the top 10 for the remainder of the race. Several laps later, while running in the ninth position, the 17-year-old lost a lap to the race leaders. Jones was able to stay in the lucky dog position and took advantage by regaining his lap back when the caution flag flew on lap 135. At this point in the race, Jones was not only back on the lead lap, but also up to the seventh position. After getting back on the lead lap, the 17-year-old was able to continue his climb through the field. A caution on lap 158 would bring the top five cars down pit road in turn putting Jones and the No. 33 Exide Chevrolet in the lead. Jones held the top spot for three circuits and when the race resumed on lap 163, Jones quickly settled into third. The 17-year-old held his own in the closing laps as he battled with veteran competitors in the NCWTS, ultimately bringing home a career-best fourth-place finish. The fourth-place result comes for Jones in just his fifth-career NCWTS start and first in the NCWTS at Dover International Speedway. 

 

Brandon Jones on his career-best finish:

“Man, what a day; I can’t begin to thank the guys back at Turner Scott Motorsports enough. The entire No. 33 Exide team worked so hard getting this piece together and I’m just happy we were able to put together a solid finish. This track is insanely fast, and I’m really looking forward to coming back here again, especially with the K&N cars in September. It was really cool to bring my K&N team with me to the Truck Series and put together a successful race at Dover. I think this is going to be a huge confidence boost for the entire team throughout the rest of the season.”

 

TSM PR