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Erik Jones: "I don’t know where I’m going to be yet" in 2018

Although the driver of the No. 77 5-hour Energy Toyota is enjoying a successful rookie season with Furniture Row Racing, rumors have persisted for more than a month that he’s moving to No. 20 car at Joe Gibbs Racing next year.

Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota

Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota

Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing Toyota

“I’m just driving,” Jones said. “For the most part, for me, whether – I don’t know where I’m going to be yet. They haven’t let me know. For me, I’ve been really happy at Furniture Row (Racing) and it’s been a steady group of guys over there that I think work really well together. I don’t know yet.

“Hopefully, I know soon. You know it’s kind of getting down to that point. I guess it’s July now, so I’m sure we’ll have an answer here soon.”

Matt Kenseth’s name has been mentioned as a possible option for Hendrick Motorsports should the company need a driver to bridge the gap before William Byron graduates to the Monster Energy Cup Series.

Byron, who is in his first season in the Xfinity Series, won his first race at Iowa and followed up with his second victory last weekend at Daytona. Byron has also been mentioned as a candidate for the No. 88 ride upon Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s retirement. HMS moved Chase Elliott into Cup at age 20, after he spent two years on the Xfinity Series tour and won one title.

Young driver takeover

Jones was politically correct when describing the number of younger drivers displacing the series’ veterans.

“I think you see it more and more now that we’re getting more and more competitive each week,” Jones said. “Obviously, Kyle Larson - he’s on fire. He’s winning a ton of races and running up front every week and then you see Ryan (Blaney) getting his first win. I think as young guys we want to all get to that level where we’re running well, running up front, contending for wins each week and then taking that role of those top guys in the sport and having a voice in the sport and having a say in how things go.

“We’re all trying to get there. I really have looked at this year as a learning year, for me at least. It’s been a big learning year for myself. I look at hopefully next year as really trying to go out and beat that guy that’s contending for wins more and more each week. I think we’re all, like I said, just trying to get to that point and be those top guys in the sport, have a voice and then figure out what we need to do to bring those younger fans in.”

In addition to attracting a younger demographic, team owners don’t have to pay the next generation anywhere close to the millions the mature drivers have commanded over the years.

But with nine races remaining to decide the Playoff grid, Jones’s focus is on the task at hand. His best in 17 starts was third at Pocono Raceway last month. On Saturday night at Daytona, he scored his fourth top-10 finish of the season.

Looking ahead

Jones is currently 17th in the standings — the highest ranked rookie. But with 11 races winners this season, only six positions remain to battle for title, considering Joey Logano’s encumbered win. Jones says he and crew chief Chris Gayle have a game plan. Certainly, the easiest path to the post-season would be if the No. 77 team could win.

“We’ve mapped it all out,” Jones said of the playoffs. “We know exactly what we do need to do. And Chris and I haven’t had time to sit down yet and really divulge into that. We’re going to hopefully do that Sunday. I think he’s going to come to North Carolina for a little bit so hopefully we have time to really go through it and figure out exactly what needs to be done.

“For me, I try to run the best I can every weekend. It’s hard when you look back on the season and look at certain races and it’s like, ‘Man, you know that day should’ve went better or this finish should’ve been better’ and it’s like all those points, if you add them together, we’re in there. So hopefully we can run well enough to get back in it. And then if it gets down to it, we really – if we just win a race, we don’t have to talk about it at all. That’d be nice to do, but you know we know what we need to do and we’re going to try and do it every week.”

Click on image to watch Jone talk about his future in NASCAR. 

 

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