Team Devin Jones Racing fought changing weather conditions at the PASS National Winter Fest 150 in New Smyrna, Fla. After tuning the car to a solid sixth fastest in Friday practice, rain washed out the Saturday race changing the track dramatically for the rescheduled run on Sunday. Even so, Jones was glad to be racing again and pleased with his CroftGate USA/Team Pistone/Children’s Dream Racer #35 car.
“After the two month winter break, it was great to be at the track again,” said Jones. “I’d never been to New Smyrna before. The full ½-mile track was a lot of fun to drive – very fast. Originally coming from California, it was also good to get a break from the cold North Carolina weather and go down to Florida where it is warmer.”
The warm weather was welcomed on Friday where Jones ended the day in a solid top six out of 22 cars. But when the weather turned on Saturday, it brought colder air and rain, changing the track conditions dramatically. When Sunday finally rolled around, the drivers only had three short practice sessions to retune their cars for the rescheduled race on Sunday afternoon.
“We seemed to loose the set up that was so solid on Friday going in to Sunday,” said Jones. “With limited practice time, we decided to stay on old tires and set the car up for the long run. We knew tire wear was going to be an issue on such a big track. By doing this, we knew we were sacrificing some qualifying position, but with the situation we were in it was the right call.”
Jones qualified in 14th and by lap 40 he had made his way up to 8th. After an aggressive restart he tapped the 5 car coming out of turn two. The 5 car spun and Jones was put to the back. A few short laps later, the 5 car retaliated, spinning Jones, who became a lap down when the leaders passed him before the yellow was waved.
Again starting from the back, Jones made his way back to 6th and caught a “lucky dog” on the next yellow, gaining his lap back yet putting him again in the back. Jones, on yet another solid run, made his way for the third time from the back to 8th when, with just 40 laps to go, a collision ahead of him collected him and three others behind him. The tangle crushed the #35’s radiator and collapsed the front end. Jones was credited with a 16th place finish.
“We had a top five car,” said Jones. “Every time we were put to the back, I could easily wheel it up to the front. Chase and the Pistone team did a great job getting the car where it needed to be for today’s weather and track conditions. With a little more patience it could have been a much different race. I’m eager to start the points series in March to put what I learned this weekend into practice.”
Jones will be racing the entire PASS South series starting in March 2010 at Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina. He can also be seen this year racing a NWAAS Super Truck at Hickory Motor Speedway. For more information visit Jones’ 2010 Race Schedule.
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Team Pistone worked hard to set the #35 up for the long run. (PASS Photo)
Weather was an Issue at New Smyrna
Smart Tuning Made For a Fast #35 Car
A collision with 40 laps to go ended the #35's day at New Smyrna (PASS Photo) .
