Overview: In 133 Cup starts, Erik Jones has two wins, 29 Top-5s, 57 Top-10s and 2 poles. He starts in 14th and finishes in 16th on average. He has led 616 laps, finishing 115 and 83 on the lead lap. His best track is Darlington; In five races, he recorded one win, 3 Top-5s, 5 Top-10s, and 5 Top-20s, with a lowest finish of 8th, combining for a 106.8. Three of his Top-5 best tracks (Darlington, Texas, Kentucky) are 1.5-mile tracks and his lowest average finish (Kentucky) is 9.5. His worst 1.5-mile track is Charlotte where he averages 20th place at the finish. On short track (1.25 miles or shorter), he averages an 18th-place finish.
Conclusion: Jones is rated B- and borderline B. Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver line-up is overpowered, and to be fair, Jones has the least experience.
Prediction:
Ganassi: 45% Bubba Wallace is considered for this vacancy; but he will stay at Petty
Hendrick: 40% The #48 car will be open. Although Jones isn’t a wily veteran, he is the only high-valued free agent. Could Suarez be considered too?
Petty: 10% Wallace will most likely remain in the #43.
Haas: 5% Jones to Haas is the least likely to happen because Briscoe is ready and Larson is rumored for one of the cars. If Briscoe stays in the Xfinity Series one more year and Larson is ineligible to compete however, Jones is the leading candidate for it.
