Jones Turns First Laps in No. 51 Toyota Tundra

16-year-old Erik Jones made his first laps in a NASCAR Camping World Series truck Thursday, testing with his Kyle Busch Motorsports’ (KBM) teammates, Joey Coulter (No. 18 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Tundra) and Darrell Wallace Jr. (No. 54 Toyota Care Tundra), at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, N.C. Jones made 100 laps around the .455-mile oval behind the wheel of No. 51 Toyota Tundra in preparation for his Truck Series debut, which will take place April 6 in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

 

Erik Jones, driver of the No. 51 Toyota Tundra:

“It was really big getting to test right before we head to Martinsville. We were able to try a lot of things, which allowed me to learn how my Tundra would react to certain changes and get a feel for communicating with Rudy (Fugle, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 51 team. Overall, I would say that I left the test with a lot more confidence, which makes me even more excited about my Truck Series debut at Martinsville next week.”

 

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 51 Toyota Tundra:

“Erik showed a lot of speed right off the trailer and gave good feedback. He’s a smart kid — you could tell he has been raised as a racer right from the beginning. If you didn’t know who was in the truck, you wouldn’t have been able to tell if it was a 16-year-old or a 40-year-old in there. I think realistically that we can go to Martinsville with him next week and run in the top 10 — if not the top five.”

 

KBM PR