Published: July 16, 2016
Jones brings another showcase name to Tuesday’s race
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
Rising NASCAR star Erik Jones has filled his trophy case with awards from some of the most prestigious late model races in the country.
There is one missing, though: The Larry Detjens Trophy, awarded to the Slinger Nationals victor.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win some big late model races in the last few years, but Slinger hasn’t been one of them,” Jones said. “To add that race to my mantle would be pretty special to me, especially considering the history of the track and the race.”
Jones is one of 40 expected drivers who will compete in Tuesday’s 37th SUPERSEAL Slinger Nationals presented by Miller Lite at Slinger Super Speedway.
“Slinger is a track I’ve wanted to come to for a while now,” Jones said. “The Nationals is a prestigious event in the late model world, and it’s a race I’ve had marked down.”
Jones wanted to compete at Slinger since 2011.
“In my mind, it’s a fast-paced, high-action short track,” he said. “Things happen so quick there, there’s always something going on.”
Jones joins fellow NASCAR racer Matt Kenseth in this year’s field. Kenseth, a two-time Daytona 500 winner and the 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, is an event-record six-time Slinger Nationals champion.
Another current NASCAR driver also appears at Slinger. Chase Elliott committed to compete in the race, but a prior commitment forced him to pull out. However, he will serve as the event’s grand marshal.
Slinger co-promoter Rodney Erickson believes this year’s race may be the most talented in several years.
However, he quickly pointed out an always unpredictable equalizer: equipment failure.
Dennis Prunty, the defending champion, dominated in 2014, leading 170 laps until an engine failure with 23 to go forced him to pull off the track and watch Chris Wimmer drive to the victory.
Last year, Prunty was barely challenged. He led 187 of 199 laps and collected close to $15,000 in prize money — a track record.
“The Nationals is 200 laps,” Erickson said. “Equipment failure is always a big risk.”
Plus, it’s a strain on tires.
In his career, Jones has enjoyed success on Wisconsin’s short tracks. He’s won at LaCrosse and the Milwaukee Mile. In 2014, Jones won the Howie Lettow Memorial at the Milwaukee Mile.
Jones also won the coveted Snowball Derby in Florida twice, and has won the Winchester 400 three times.
But Slinger is different. That’s why Jones tested there Wednesday.
“I think we got a good baseline to start with once we get up there next week,” he said. 'I learned a lot about the track and what I need to do, and I think we learned a lot about what we’re going to need the car to do.”
Jones is a rookie in the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series after winning the Camping World Truck Series championship last year. He is fourth in Xfinity, 57 points behind Daniel Suarez.
Out of the drivers competing for the championship, Jones leads the group with two victories. He won April 16 at Bristol and May 14 at Dover. This weekend, the Xfinity Series is in New Hampshire for today’s AutoLotto 200.
“I think it’s gone good,” Jones said of his season. “We have been disappointed a few times. I think we feel like we should have a few more wins. But regardless, we are locked into the Chase and gave ourselves the chance to win a lot of races this year, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Jones races for Joe Gibbs Racing, the same team Kenseth and Kyle Busch race for. Jones is racing a Kyle Busch Motorsports car at Slinger.
Busch won the 2011 Slinger Nationals.
“I’ll probably ask him a couple questions about it,” Jones said. “The track has changed a little since then, but I’ll pick his brain some.”
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