NASCAR driver Erik Jones learned he wouldn’t be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021 not too long before the rest of the racing world did. And he said he was “blindsided” by the news.
The 24-year-old driver has competed for the powerhouse race team for three of his first four full-time NASCAR Cup Series seasons, and he’s won two races so far: the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway and the 2019 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. By far the youngest of his veteran JGR teammates Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin, Jones was once seen as the possible future of the team.
But Jones’ one-year contract with the team is up at the end of the 2020 season, and now, he could become a free agent at the end of the year. As The Athletic reported Thursday after news of Jones’ split with Joe Gibbs Racing broke, current Cup Series rookie Christopher Bell is expected to take over the No. 20 Toyota.
Prior to Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway — the Michigan native’s home track — Jones explained his perspective to NBC Sports.
The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year said:
“I found out really the same day as everybody. I guess it was on Thursday morning I was told, and Thursday night, we kind of announced everything. I was blindsided a little bit. I didn’t really expect it coming from our talks. I thought we were moving in a good direction.
“But at the end of the day, I’ve had a great, really, eight years almost with Joe Gibbs Racing between XFINITY and Cup, and I’m thankful for that time. And it’s been good to see the support that’s been out there the last few days on social media and everybody that’s coming out … has been awesome.
In the middle of NASCAR’s “silly season,” or free agency talks, Jones is one of several drivers still looking for a guaranteed ride next season. Although he didn’t mention any specifics, he told NBC Sports:
“We’ve got a great few opportunities out there, which has been good to see. Over the next few weeks, hopefully we can have some good talks, so excited about that.”
Via a statement from Joe Gibbs Racing on Thursday:
“We appreciate all Erik has done for Joe Gibbs Racing over the past several years,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “He joined us as a teenager and has accomplished so much in his time here and we remain focused on the remainder of this season and earning him a spot in the playoffs.”
Expected to replace Jones, Bell has been in the No. 95 Toyota this season with Leavine Family Racing. However, his future became uncertain when team owner Bob Leavine announced Tuesday that he sold the team to a still-unknown buyer.
