The Devin Jones Racing team headed to Newport Speedway in Newport, TN on Saturday, August 7th for the “Daniel Boone Classic” 125-lap PASS South event. After being the fastest in the second practice round, Jones qualified in the 6th spot, less than half tenth off of the pole. He ran in the top three all night until a flat tire changed his night, with just 10 laps to go. Still the Devin Jones Racing team fought back for a solid 7th place finish in the 27 car field, moving him into the top five in PASS South points.
Jones’ #35 Social Distortion Toyota, under the Jeff Fultz Racing, banner was fast from the moment the car hit Newport Speedway (TN).
“We felt confident before the weekend for sure,” said Jones. “We came here to test a few weeks back and the car was on rails, we were running fast laps and had solid long runs. We felt good about the race.”
Jones was fastest in the second practice and would put the #35 in the sixth spot for the 125 lap event.
“We went out for time trials and the car was great,” said Jones. “The car may have pushed up the track a little bit in the middle of three and four, but the times are so close that little shove up the track could have been the difference from sitting on the pole and being just inside the top 10.”
After the PASS redraw, Jones started in 8th for the feature.
“We were looking for a win,” said Jones. “Jeff and everyone have been working really hard on the car. There were a lot of local drivers out there that know how the track changes from day light to dark. But, overall we just wanted to be there in the end and have some fun with it.”
Jones worked his way up to 4th by lap 15 and run a smart race in the top three for the whole night battling for the lead most of the event. He ran as high as second in the closing laps of the 125 lap race.
When riding in second place with about 15 laps to go Jones radioed in and said he thought he had a flat left front tire. Jones rode out the flat just trying to hold his track position. With six laps to go Jones came in under yellow to pit for the flat. He came back on the track in 13th place and quickly worked his way back up to a solid 7th place finish, moving Jones to 5th in the close PASS South points battle.
“We ran great all night and had a winning car,” said Jones. “I had fun battling at this track with everyone up front. Jeff Fultz and all the guys put a great set up under it. I think we could have won untill that flat tire, but everyone rallied really well. We got lucky there and got a caution and were able to come in a change the flat and come back and get a 7th place finish, which all considered is not bad. We have been running great this summer. It’s not a matter of if, but when, we will get our first PASS win.”
The Devin Jones Racing team will be back in action on August 28th at South Boston Speedway for the 10th PASS South race of the season.
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Devin Jones Moves into Top 5 in PASS South Points after
Strong Run at Newport
Jones was Running 2nd when a Flat Tire Changed His Night
Devin Jones Racing was running in 2nd, with 15 laps to go, when a flat tire changed his night at Newport Speedway.
(Avista Sports Marketing Photo)
