| Blake Jones featured on www.TimsCorner.ca |
Click here and hit the play button to listen to the interview --->Timscorner.ca  |
| Posted on Jan 26 2012 by Blake Jones |
| Jones takes home CARS Pro Cup rookie title at banquet |
| SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — The 2011 Championship Auto Racing Series Pro Cup banquet was held this past weekend in Mooresville, N.C., and Sevier County High School freshman Blake Jones wrote his name in the series’ record book as the youngest driver to ever win rookie of the year. In the Pro Cup season finale last fall at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway, all 14-year-old Jones had to do was start the race to clinch rookie of the year title. Jones quickly wrapped the rookie award up and set his sights on winning the race. Early on and during the middle stages of the event it looked like the talented teenager just might record his first Pro Cup victory, as he led many laps and ran solidly inside the top-five. Finding himself in a three-car battle up front for the lead, unfortunately Jones and Brad Rogers both got taken out of the race in a questionable move by fellow competitor Ryan Heavner. Jones began the 2011 campaign chauffeuring cars from his family’s Teddy Jones Racing operation nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, but midway through the season he moved into the seat to drive for Athens, Ga.-based Kirk May Racing. Even though Jones missed a mid-summer race last July at Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway, competing in 12 of the 13 series events and on the strength of four top-five and seven top-10 finishes during the season, he finished seventh in CARS Pro Cup points. Jones recorded a personal best runner-up finish at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, along with third-place runs at both Dillon (S.C.) Motor Speedway and Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn, Va., plus a fourth-place effort at Ace Speedway located in Altamahaw, N.C. “Overall I guess you could say we had a good season in 2011, because we led races and placed ourselves in contention to visit victory lane and just in general at each event we showed up at we ran well,” said Jones following the CARS Pro Cup banquet as he reflected on last season. “I’m a racer and each time I strap in the car I do so hoping to pull into victory lane following the conclusion of the event, and really what was disappointing last year is we could have won three or four races if things had just worked out better for us. You kind of hate thinking back and looking at how things could’ve turned out better, but I know for certain we (as a team) gave a couple of races away and then we got wrecked and knocked out of contention of winning a couple of more races. “The CARS Pro Cup tour is tough, with several veteran drivers, and I guess what’s really gratifying for me is knowing that during my rookie season as we showed up at tracks for the first time I’d ever laid eyes on them, is just how well we ran. I have to give a lot of credit for us running so good to my crew chief Wade Day, because there’s no doubting that he believes in me as a race car driver and in turn that really gives me a boost of confidence. Wade and I really communicate well, I can tell him how the car’s driving and he knows what adjustments to make on the chassis. We’d have a good qualifying run and then back it up and have a strong run during the race. Hey, we didn’t get that elusive first win in 2011, but all the veteran series drivers grew to respect my abilities as a racer and they knew that I wasn’t just some kid out on the track riding around. I’ve won in every level of racing since I began in go-karts, then into Bandolero and Legends cars and then into asphalt Late Models. We didn’t get that Pro Cup win in 2011, but there’s always the upcoming racing season. Finishing seventh in CARS Pro Cup points and earning ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors meant a lot to me.” Supporters for the Teddy Jones Racing CARS Pro Cup No. 80 Dodge Charger efforts during the 2011 racing season: Baker’s Wrecker Service, Breeden Paving, Chambers Market & Grill, Colonial Loan, NAPA Auto Parts of Sevierville, Sevierville Import & Truck Center, WD Performance, Fast Cash Pawn, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, eXlander Designs, with special thanks to W.C. and Tracy Mills of Old Town, Fla. During the winter offseason Blake and family have been busy preparing a new business venture for the teenager to be hands-on in operating. To quench that “need for speed” be sure to stop by Blake Jones Racing Center - Indoor Go-Karts in Pigeon Forge and talk racing with Blake and his family. The start to the 2012 racing season is quickly approaching. Tentative plans call for Blake to compete in selected NASCAR K&N Pro Series East events, along with CARS Pro Cup races and also competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanctioned Late Model Stock shows at Kingsport Speedway. To learn more about Blake Jones, visit his Web site at http://www.BlakeJonesRacing.com and contact Teddy Jones Racing at (865) 388-2795. You can follow Blake Jones on social media via Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/80BlakeJones and on Facebook at Blake Jones Racing. |
| Posted on Jan 23 2012 by Blake Jones |
| Follow us on twitter!!!! https://twitter.com/#!/80BlakeJones |
| Posted on Jan 18 2012 by Blake Jones |
| Jones captures rookie of the year. |
  Rockingham, NC A double header Saturday for 14 year old Blake Jones nets him a top 5 finish and Rookie of the year honors two years running. The United Auto Racing Association (UARA-STARS) along with the Championship Auto Racing Series (CARS Pro Cup) made the journey to Rockingham Speedway this weekend. Jones qualified a 26.019 around the high bank tri-oval putting him 12th of the 18 cars taking time in the UARA event. Jones however started the race from the shotgun position due to changes made to the car post qualifying. By lap 25 of the event he was already charging to the front and up to 12th place in the field. A mandatory caution at lap 25 gave the crew time to adjust on the car more to his liking. Running the majority of the race in the 8th position, a caution on lap 73 gave Jones a chance to pick up a few spots on the restart of the 75 lap event. Executing the restart perfectly Jones picked up Three spots and a top Five finish claiming the Holley Biggest Performer of the race award. A 30 minute break between races gave Jones little time to rest for the CARS Pro Cup American 200. Starting the race in the 7th position, Jones clinched the Rookie of the year title making him the youngest in series history to do so, other notables to win this title are names such as Jeff Agnew, Benny Gordon, and Brian Vickers. Driving the #14 Kirk May Racing entry gave Jones a chance to work with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Cale Gale who fielded the #4 entry for Kirk May. By lap 40 a hard charging Jones made the pass to take over third place. A lap 69 debris caution gives the leaders a chance to pit for fuel (cannot pit for fuel and tires on same pit stop).The Kirk May Racing crew topped off the car, and picked up the two spots needed to get Jones out front for the restart. By lap 83 Jones was battling with series points leader Brad Rogers for third place a hard charging Ryan Heavner on new tires takes the trio three wide into turn one causing contact between Jones and points leader Rogers. Jones on the outside slammed into the outside wall ending his day finishing 16th.The knowledge learned this season running in the heavier cars and radial tires will help the 14 year old rookie next season. The two time rookie of the year plans to go for a three-peat next season in the NASCAR sanctioned K&N east series. If Jones captures the rookie title it will also make him the youngest to do so and put his name in the record books along with Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Ryan Truex, and Darell Wallace Jr. by Jeremy Hughes |
| Posted on Nov 06 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Blake Jones Eyes Pro Cup Rookie Title |
Heading into the season finale at Rockingham Speedway, rookie Blake Jones has a comfortable lead over his competition for the 2011 CARS Pro Cup Rookie of the Year title. It's not a given, Jones will still have to take the green flag to secure the trophy. The Sevierville, TN driver has a 95 point lead over Cale Conley. This should be enough to allow him to race for his first Pro Cup win rather than worry about where Conley is on the track. Jones began the season driving the #80 car for his family team and moved into the #14 ride at Kirk May Motorsports for the final 5 Championship races. He has accumulated 4 top 5's in his 11 Pro Cup starts this season for an average finish of 7.82. His best finish of the year came at Hickory Motor Speedway where he finished in second place. At the age of 14, Jones will likely be the youngest Rookie of the Year winner in Pro Cup history, an impressive feat considering the age and experience levels of most of the field of drivers he is racing against. If Jones comes away from Rockingham with enough points, he will join drivers such as Jeff Agnew, Brian Vickers, Benny Gordon, Matt Carter, Brandon Ward, and Drew Herring who have also won Pro Cup Rookie of the Year. The final race in the CARS Pro Cup season will be held at Rockingham Speedway on the afternoon of Saturday, November 5th. Come out to watch the Pro Cup competitors duel down to the wire for the 2011 Championship and Rookie of the Year! Tickets are only $15.00 for the American 200. |
| Posted on Oct 29 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Blake Jones |
| I have such respect for Nascars past champions and competitors. Yesterday, I met one of those great guys --Mr Ned Jarrett. He is a Nascar Legend and a Hall of Famer! It was so cool to hear his racing stories and listen to him tell what Nascar was then in comparison to what the sport has grown to today. As a driver, its always alot of fun to swap stories with other drivers but sharing race stories with Mr Jarrett was awesome! Certainly a day I will never forget. Special thanks to Mr John Eller and his son, Noah ,for creating this opportunity for me . Thanks also to my mom and Kim Hancock for taking time out of their schedule to take the trip to North Carolina with me! Since I cannot drive on the highway legally for another year and two months I really needed a driver!!! |
| Posted on Oct 27 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Hickory Motorspeedway 10/8/11 |
HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba County United Way 200 at Hickory Motor Speedway came down to two drivers battling for their first career win. In the end, the hungry veteran held off the charging rookie. AJ Frank fended off Kirk May Racing’s Blake Jones to earn his first-career CARS Pro Cup series win in his 85th start. Jones followed him across the finish line, with Jeff Agnew, Caleb Holman and Cale Conley rounding out the top five. Frank grabbed the lead from Holman with 15 laps to go and blocked Jones’ advances in the closing laps. “It’s been a long time coming, no doubt about it,” Frank said in victory lane. “I feel like this should have happened a long time ago, but it’s so great to be here. I’m at a loss for words.” Jones fought through several challenges to finish second. Using a different pit strategy than the rest of the leaders, the 14-year-old Tennessee native led 67 of the 200 laps. But Jones lost the lead and nearly his car on lap 135 when he tangled with Tyler Young in turn 1. Jones spun up the track but somehow kept his car off the wall. With fresh tires, Jones restarted eighth, moved to seventh after a dust-up with Brad Rogers and then to fifth after missing the spinning cars of Agnew and JP Morgan. Jones took the fourth position on lap 175, third on lap 178 and second with 12 laps to go. That’s as close as he would get to scoring Kirk May Racing’s first win. “We had a really good race car — I think we may have had the best car here, but we ran out of time,” Jones said afterward. “It was crazy, coming back up. “AJ had a great car, and we ran him down there. We just needed five more laps.” Nevertheless, the second place finish is a best for both Jones and KMR. The team will be back in action with the CARS Pro Cup series in two weeks at Myrtle Beach Speedway. “We were third the last time out and second here tonight,” Jones said. “We can’t wait to get to Myrtle Beach.” October 9, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave A Comment » |
| Posted on Oct 10 2011 by Blake Jones |
| JONES HUNGRY FOR HICKORY WIN |
| With just three races to go in the 2011 season, CARS Pro Cup Series rookie leader Blake Jones enters this Saturday’s Catawba County United Way 200 with momentum on his side. Following a strong third place finish at Lonesome Pine Raceway on September 11th, the #14 Elite Auto Collision Chevrolet is ready to attack the track at Hickory Motor Speedway with one main goal in mind – running up front and securing another podium finish that will solidify his position in the point standings. “We’d love to come out of Hickory with a win,” said Jones about Saturday’s 200-lap race. “I know our team is ready for it. Ideally, we need to keep the big picture in mind of where we are in the point standings. We want to improve where we’re sitting by the end of the season and top three finishes in these last few races should get us to where we want to be.” Jones, who hails from Sevierville, Tennessee, has positioned himself into sixth in the overall point standings, just 25 points out of fifth place driver Tyler Young and 114 points out of leader Brad Rogers. The cushion between Jones and his nearest rookie rival is 93 points and with just three events to go in the season including the Hickory event on Saturday, Jones is looking to inch himself one step closer to that prestigious crown. The Catawba County United Way 200 at the Hickory Motor Speedway is event 11 of 13 on the 2011 CARS Pro Cup Series schedule. Qualifying is slated for 5pm on October 8th with the green flag scheduled to drop at 7:15pm. For more information on the series, check out their website at www.carsprocup.com. Story Prepared by Tim’s Corner Motorsports Tim Terry |
| Posted on Oct 05 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Lonosome Pine Raceway LMSC |
| Well we had a good run going and thought that we had a winning car, just could not bring it home. After being the fast qualifier, we found ourself having to make a charge from the rear. In tech after qualifying there was a small height infraction . When the green flag flew Jones wasted no time by lap four he had his #80 in the third position. While he was working to get by Blevins for second, Gatlin managed to pull out to a twelve car length lead. On lap six Jones overtook Blevins for second and took the lead from Gatlin on lap 13. Jones managed to pull out to a ten car length lead as the race wound down to the final 3laps Gatlin began to close the gap. Jones would hold on to lead coming to the white flag, but the #80 machine would not hold up to take the checkered. The car had come to a halt off of turn four. Gatlin managed to pass Jones’s stopped racecar on the front straightaway to take the win with Blevins right behind. A devastating loss for the whole #80 team. Jones coasted across the finish for a diappointing third place after leading from lap 13 to white flag . |
| Posted on Sep 28 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Jones finishes third for KMR at Lonsome Pine |
COEBURN, Va. — Blake Jones knew he had a car that could win Sunday’s CARS Pro Cup Series Salute to America 200 at Lonesome Pine Raceway. Jones showed speed throughout the 200-lap race and, after a mid-race pit miscue, rallied to finish third. The finish is Kirk May Racing’s best since the spring. Afterward, the 14-year-old rookie said it was a rookie mistake that kept him from victory lane. On lap 104, Jones pitted from the second position with the rest of the leaders. But as he came into his box, the car didn’t slow. “When I came in, the brake pedal went to the floor and I couldn’t stop,” Jones said. “I hate that I did that to the team.” Jones stopped on the next lap and restarted the race at the back of the pack. But it didn’t take the Tennessee native long to make up ground. He steadily passed several veterans of the series, including JP Morgan, AJ Frank and Jeff Agnew. By the time he reached the third position, he felt a tire starting to go down on the car. Instead of pitting, Jones stayed on the track and held his position. At the end of the race, he had the fastest car on the race track. “I moved around a little bit and found a little more speed,” Jones said. “I can’t thank Kirk and the team enough. It’s a great race car.” Jones and Kirk May Racing hope to build some momentum on their strong run as the Pro Cup Series heads to Hickory Motor Speedway in early October. |
| Posted on Sep 28 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Kingsport Speedway 125 lapper |
| Monteith wraps 2011 Kingsport Speedway NASCAR Late Model Stock championship up in style By Robert Walden Kingsport Speedway Media/Public Relations ...KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Aug. 28) — The rebirth of weekly NASCAR sanctioned racing at Kingsport Speedway all began on a sunny Saturday afternoon back in March under the guidance of new track promoter Robert Pressley, a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series competitor. And the curtains closed on the 2011 racing season with “Championship Sunday” before a huge crowd of race fans in the Model City. Nate Monteith of Blountville capped off a phenomenal campaign by leading flag-to-flag in winning the Allied Waste Services Tennessee Championship 125 for the headlining NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stocks, a victory worth $2,000. While the 29-year-old Monteith entered the season finale leading his closest challenger, Lee Tissot, by seven points in the chase for the championship, much attention Sunday at the track was focused on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano, who decided to stay over in East Tennessee after competing at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway in Friday’s Nationwide Series and Saturday’s Sprint Cup Series events to race at Kingsport Speedway. Monteith entered the Tennessee Championship 125 with a divisional-best nine feature wins, and also with 20 top-five finishes in 20 events on the season. Tissot set fast-time to earn the pole position, with Monteith second quickest to nail down the outside front row starting berth. A “man on a mission,” Monteith jumped into the lead over Blake Jones, Tissot, Daniel Pope II and Logano to complete the opening lap. Logano got under Pope for fourth on lap 6, which opened the door for Zeke Shell to waltz right by into the fifth spot, dropping Pope back to sixth in the running order. Just outside of the top five, Royce Peters passed Wayne Hale racing off the fourth turn on lap 8 to move into eighth-place. The event’s first caution waved on lap 11, when Robbie Ferguson and Justin Sorrow tangled between turns one and two. Monteith brought the field back up to speed, with Jones glued to his rear bumper followed by Tissot, Logano and Shell. Getting back up on the wheel, Pope first got around Shell for fifth, and then Logano for the fourth spot on lap 15. Next in his sight was Tissot in third, and on lap 18 racing off the fourth turn Pope got around Tissot for the position. But while Pope was battling with Logano and Tissot, out front Monteith and Jones had pulled out to 10 car lengths over the trio by lap 25. Logano got to the inside of Tissot racing into the first turn on lap 28, and racing up off (turn) two he made the pass to move into third. Shell began pressuring Tissot for fourth, but riding in his rearview mirror mounting a charge on him was Mike Looney in sixth. While Monteith and Jones were still comfortably riding in the top two positions out front, Pope was beginning to feel the heat from Logano who looked to move into third. On lap 40 racing into the first turn, Looney got inside of Shell and made contact, moving Shell up the banking and allowing Looney to slide past and take over the fifth position. Racing up off the fourth turn at the flag-stand on lap 49, Logano pulled alongside of Pope as they raced into turn one. Getting good forward (bite) on the bottom racing off turn two, Logano cleared Pope to move into third in the running order. Monteith and Jones began approaching the group of Hale, Paul Nogradi Jr., Ferguson, Mackena Bell, Nick Cole and Ryan Stiltner, who were battling for real estate. While Monteith cleanly threaded the needle to overtake Stiltner, Cole and Bell, the 14-year-old Jones encountered issues when the hole he attempted to squeeze through closed and he got together with Bell, resulting in right-front fender damage to Jones’ mount. Caution waved for debris on the track in turn two on lap 59, which resulted from the contact with Jones and the lapped cars. After running a strong race up to this point, hanging right with leader Monteith, Jones was forced into the pits when the black flagged waved due to his dangling fender. After quick work to remove the sheet-metal, Jones roared back out of the pits and tagged on at rear of the field for restart. Ready to go back green, Monteith looked in his rearview mirror and saw Logano riding on his back bumper, followed by Pope, Tissot and Looney. Monteith and Logano quickly put eight car lengths between themselves Pope and Tissot. Tissot got around Pope for third on lap 65 racing off the fourth turn, which opened the door for Looney to also pass Pope and move into fourth, dropping Pope back to fifth in the running order. Tissot began dropping off the pace on lap 68 with an overheating engine, thus allowing both Looney and Pope to get back around him. Tissot finally had to pull into the pits on lap 74, with the engine woes thus ending all hope of possibly overtaking Monteith to win the track championship. With Monteith and Logano running one-two, followed in third by Looney, Shell got around Pope for the fourth spot on lap 78 racing off turn two. Closing to Looney’s rear bumper, Shell began applying pressure wanting to move into third. Racing off turn two on lap 81, Shell made the pass. Outside the top five, working their way solidly back up through the field, Jones passed Peters for the sixth spot on lap 84 racing off the fourth turn. Just behind them, Ferguson got around John King II for eighth-place on lap 86. The caution waved at the century mark (lap 100), when fifth-running Pope and the lapped car of Cole got together and spun in turn four. Ready to go back green, Monteith led Logano, Shell, Looney and Jones. Shell immediately began working on Logano for the runner-up position, sticking his nose under Logano racing off the corners on both ends of the speedway. With the crowd on their feet cheering, while Logano and Shell battled for the position, Monteith was pulling away out front. Jones got under Looney to make the pass for fourth on lap 105 racing off turn two, and he looked to join the battle with Shell and Logano. But Looney fought his way back to reclaim the position from Jones on lap 110 between turns three and ...four. After putting up a valiant fight to overtake Logano for second-place, Shell’s rear tires finally gave up and he began having to try and fend off advances from Looney who wanted to get around Shell for third. Looney got past Shell on lap 115 as they raced off the fourth turn. Following his earlier altercation with the lapped car that caused right-front fender and nose damage, Jones began slowing and finally had to pull into the pits on lap 120 to end a strong run. But out front it was all Monteith, driving the True Line Construction Co./KBM Commercial Properties/Pizza Plus/BSA Security Co./TAB Performance/Clark’s Automotive Race Engines/Griffin Radiators/Amsoil/Brown & Miller Racing Solutions/Five Star Race Car Bodies/ProParts Engineering Performance/Sherwin-Williams/Primetime Designs Race Decals/ Townsend-LTO Race Cars/WD Performance/eXlander Designs/Monteith Racing/No. 44 Chevrolet Impala, as he sealed the deal with an impressive full-straightaway margin of victory at the end over Logano, Looney, Shell and Pope. Monteith’s green-to-checkered win was his tenth of the season Peters, Ferguson, King, Nogradi and Hale completed the top-10 finishers. The first nine cars were all on the lead lap when the checkered flag waved. ”Mission accomplished, this is what we set out to do at the beginning of the season – winning the track championship,” said Monteith following the race. “With the re-opening of Kingsport Speedway in 2011, and having NASCAR sanctioning, back during the winter the goals our race team set was to win the track championship and also the Tennessee State NASCAR title. We’ve had a really great season overall, winning ten races and finishing top-five in every race. Not having a single DNF (Did Not Finish) all season that speaks volumes in itself. “Sure, in racing you’ve got to have a little luck go your way. But it all really begins back at the shop during the week. Preparation, you’ve got to work on your equipment and show up ready to get the job done on race night. We come to the track with one thought in mind, and that’s winning. We were able to win almost half of the races this season, getting 10 feature wins in 21 events.” Logano’s first-ever visit to Kingsport Speedway only left him wanting more: “Oh man, I had a good ol’ time racing here today. My good buddy Coleman (Pressley), it was a blast getting to drive his car. He practiced the car on Saturday while I was at Bristol and really got it dialed-in for today’s race. “Here I finish a close second in the Nationwide Series race Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, and another second-place run here today – I’m already looking forward to coming back next year and trying to get the ‘W’ here at Kingsport Speedway. I really like this track and had a lot of fun racing with all the guys. I told Coleman and his dad (Robert Pressley, Kingsport Speedway promoter), let’s do this again next year. I can’t wait.” NASCAR WHELEN ALL-AMERICAN SERIES LATE MODEL STOCK – ALLIED WASTE SERVICES TENNESSEE CHAMPIONSHIP 125 Showing Finish Position, Starting Position In Parentheses, Driver, Car #, Hometown, Laps Completed In Parentheses 1. (2) Nate Monteith #44-Blountville, TN (125) 2. (3) Joey Logano #20-Middletown, CT (125) 3. (6) Mike Looney #47-New Castle, VA (125) 4. (7) Zeke Shell #97-Johnson City, TN (125) 5. (5) Daniel Pope II #16-Smyrna, TN (125) 6. (10) Royce Peters #38-Kingsport, TN (125) 7. (14) Robbie Ferguson #32-Jonesborough, TN (125) 8. (11) John King II #21-Kingsport, TN (125) 9. (13) Paul Nogradi Jr. #02-Clinton, TN (125) 10. (8) Wayne Hale #19-Bluff City, TN (124) 11. (19) Nick Cole #63-Bristol, TN (124) 12. (17) Ryan Stiltner #22-Grundy, VA (122) 13. (20) Mardy Roberts #55-Blountville, TN (121) 14. (4) Blake Jones #80-Sevierville, TN (120) 15. (22) Rick Pannell #33-Kingsport, TN (116) 16. (21) Justin Wright #21-Kingsport, TN (106) 17. (1) Lee Tissot #27-Asheville, NC (74) 18. (12) Mackena Bell #4-Carson City, NV (67) 19. (9) Jorge Arteaga #2-Aguascalientes, Mexico (65) 20. 18) Dakota Slagle #13-Asheville, NC (58) 21. (16) Justin Sorrow #9-Belton, SC (35) 22. (15) Bryan Ortiz #01-Bayamon, Puerto Rico Did Not Start: Ronnie McCarty #4-Kingsport, TN |
| Posted on Aug 29 2011 by Blake Jones |
| Kingsport LMSC Racing |
| Monteith captures ninth Kingsport Speedway NASCAR Late Model Stock victory By Robert Walden Kingsport Speedway Media/Public Relations ...KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Aug. 19) — Everyone in attendance Friday at Kingsport Speedway for Whelen Engineering Night at the Races was looking up to see if a full-moon was shining over the track, because wild things tend to occur when the moon is full – and to say the least, it was a “wild night” of racing in the Model City. There was good, hard racing and there was also a spectacular flipping crash on the front straightaway. Plus, other on-track controversy led to tension among competitors and crews in the pits, all of which led to keeping the large crowd enthused. Nate Monteith of Blountville, leading the track Late Model Stock point standings, while also ranked eighth nationally in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings, and leading the Tennessee State NASCAR points, passed Blake Jones for the lead on lap 3 and ran a flawless race the remaining distance en route to capturing his division-leading ninth feature win of the season. Lee Tissot, winner of three straight races (counting last week’s UARA-STARS touring event) at the track, set fast-time during qualifying with a run of 15.404 seconds. But the top six from time trials were inverted for the 60-lap feature, thus putting Jones and Daniel Pope II on the front row. Completing the opening lap, Jones and Pope were side-by-side at the stripe, with Monteith, Housewright and Tissot following. Tissot got around Housewright to move into the fourth spot on lap 2. Racing off turn two on the third lap, Jones nosed ahead of Pope to briefly assume the lead. Monteith was glued to the rear bumper of Jones racing into the third turn, and racing off the fourth turn Monteith grabbed a lead he would never relinquish. Tissot got around Jones for the runner-up position on the fourth lap, while Pope battled his way to get around the 14-year-old Jones for the third spot on lap six. The event’s first caution waved on lap 7 when Royce Peters spun in turn two and, only six circuits back under green the yellow was brought out once again for debris on the track. Monteith led Tissot, Pope, Jones and Housewright for the restart on lap 13. With the field tightly bunched together after going back green, and before one lap was completed, between turns three and four front-to-rear bumper contact was made with Jones getting into the rear of Pope following contact from behind to Jones from Housewright. Pope spun in the fourth turn, forcing all cars behind him into evasive action to avoid a multi-car accident to bring out the caution. Monteith led the field back up to speed, with Tissot, Jones, Housewright and Zeke Shell in pursuit. Shell got under Housewright between turns three and four on lap 15 to make the pass to move into fourth in the running order. While Monteith put a few car lengths advantage between himself and Tissot up front, back behind the lead duo attention was focused on the battle for the fifth spot involving Housewright and Robbie Ferguson. Following an incident between the two a couple of weeks ago, this was bound to get interesting if Ferguson was able to maneuver his way around Housewright. Ferguson began taking peeks underneath Housewright racing off the corners, but Housewright each time fended off the challenges. But on lap 25 racing off turn two, Ferguson cleanly got around Housewright for position racing down the backstretch. As they raced into the third turn, Housewright drove into the rear of Ferguson’s car and moved Ferguson up the track. Further contact resulted in Housewright spinning Ferguson, with Housewright also looping his car to bring out the caution. Housewright’s race was over with front-end damage resulting in a damaged radiator, while Ferguson entered the pits for crew to check over his car and rejoined at rear of the field to resume the race. Monteith was once again forced to be sure get a clean restart and not miss a (gear) shift to allow Tissot to capitalize with the waving of the green flag. Cleanly through the gears and back up to speed, Monteith began to gradually put some distance between his True Line Construction Co./KBM Commercial Properties/Pizza Plus/BSA Security Co./TAB Performance/Clark’s Automotive Race Engines/Griffin Radiators/Amsoil/Brown & Miller Racing Solutions/Five Star Race Car Bodies/ProParts Engineering Performance/Sherwin-Williams/Primetime Designs Race Decals/ Townsend-LTO Race Cars/WD Performance/eXlander Designs/Monteith Racing/No. 44 Chevrolet Impala and Tissot, Jones, Shell and Dakota Slagle. During a long green (flag) run, Monteith’s car seemed to get better-and-better. With 10 laps remaining Monteith was cruising with a comfortable lead over Tissot, and the last thing he wanted to see was a caution. But that’s what happened on lap 53, when the yellow flag waved and thus set the stage for a seven-lap shootout to the finish. However, the gunslinger Monteith was loaded for the battle and shot back ahead of Tissot to record his ninth Late Model Stock victory. Monteith was chased to the checkers by Tissot, Jones, Shell and Peters, who fought his way back up through the field following an early race spin to finish in fifth. Completing the top-10 finishers were Ferguson, Slagle, Nick Cole, Ryan Stiltner and Pope, with 10 cars on the lead lap at conclusion of the race. |
| Posted on Aug 21 2011 by Blake Jones |
| "The Tricky Triangle" |
 The Jones racing crew is hard at work preparing for this weeks USAR Procup Tour race at Concord Motor Speedway or as most people call it "The Tricky Triangle". Blake Jones will be behind the wheel of a KMR (Kirk May Racing) #14 Pro Cup ride this weekend. KMR based out of Athens, GA is excited to have the young driver behind the wheel of one of their cars for this weekends event. Jones has never laid eyes on the triangle shaped track in real life, but his sim racing career on www.iracing.com has given the young rookie plenty of practice wheeling a stock car around it's high banks. Racing starts @ 7:00pm $15 Adult general admission. Grandstand gates open at 3:30 PM, qualifying at 5:00, autograph session at 5:45 PM, racing at 7:00. 200 laps Pro Cup followed by Allison Legacy and U-Car races. You can also get $5.00 off coupons at pizza huts in the concord area! |
| Posted on Aug 11 2011 by Blake Jones |
| South Boston Speedway, June 11th, 2011 |
| Here it is Blake Jones Fans! Team 80 is back to where it all began...South Boston! Let me refresh your memories...Blake Jones, age 13 makes his debut at South Boston Speedway qualifying into the championship race. Not only did he qualify into the 8th position, Blake was the youngest race car driver to ever take a green flag in a Pro Cup event! If that were not enough, Blake fought and worked his way through a pack of tough seasoned drivers to take a fourth position finish! Flash forward...June 11,2011... Blake Jones and Team 80 are back to South Boston! Team 80 has been working hard all season to give Blake competitive cars and Blake has shown such determination, dedication, and the maturity to be running with some very big names and experience in the Pro Cup series. It is because of all this hard work, Blake is a serious contender for the Rookie of the Year honors and is a strong contender in the points chase. Fans, let's all show our support for Blake and Team 80 and be there to cheer Blake on to a checkered flag! The green flag will drop for the touring Allison Legacy Series drivers at 7 p.m. and will be followed by the USARacing Pro Cup Series 250-lap race. Among the competitors already signed up to compete in the USARacing Pro Cup Series 250 presented by Strutmasters.com are Roxboro, N.C. natives Matt Lofton and Craig Moore. Others already registered for the event are Chris Hegan, Ronnie Souders Jr., A.J. Frank, Jeff Agnew, Mike Mohelski, Sean Rayhall, Brad Rogers, Rick Watson, J.P. Morgan, Mike Williams, Blake Sauls, Caleb Holman, Ryan Heavner, Blake Jones, Chad Beahr, Mike Kurkowski, Tyler Young, Larry Barrett and Cole Miktuck. This promises to be a adrenaline filled night of racing folks! As always, Blake wants all of his fans to know that he is very grateful and appreciative of all your support. For standing by him and for your support in the future! Let's go racing folks! |
| Posted on Jun 09 2011 by Daniel |
| April 30, 2011 Dillon Motor Speedway |
| It was a stellar night in Dillon, South Carolina for the Jones Racing team. After driving through out the evening to get to Dillon in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Jones Racing Team lbeing directed By Wade Day of WD Performance went right to work. After some intense work in the shop, the crew began applying some fine tuning to the car as Blake would run the car during practice sessions ever seeking those "sweet spots" of adjustment. Blake Jones the youngest driver in the field was right at home on this short technical track. It didn't take long and Blake was moving around the track with the biggest names in Pro Cup. As the sun began to set on the Dillon track, it was time for qualifying. Even with a unfavorable draw and having to be the second car out to qualify, the confidence through out the team was running high. Everyone felt this would be a good night for Blake. Taking the track with confidence and determination, Blake quickly posted top qualifying numbers placing him in fifth position. It didn't take Blake long to have himself in the #1 position posting very respectable times. Even through seemingly very few wrecks, Blake get pushing. As the night progressed, Blake found imself in third position due to a pitstop mishap with the front tire changer. Blake found himself battling with Caleb Homan for the 2nd position. No small feat battling with a Pro Cup Series Champion. At the end of the night, after the checkered flag had flown, Blake found himself in a solid 3rd place finish in his third start of the season. After a long 250 laps Blake was shrugging off the exhausting night telling me; "I'm ready to put in another 250 laps'" Never have I seen a more capable 14 yr. old competing with the top names in the business. Job well done Blake Jones! |
| Posted on May 01 2011 by Daniel |
| Dillon, SC April 30, 2011 |
| Okay all you Jones Racing fans... The Dillon, SC Pro Cup race that was postponed from April 16th is just 4 days away! Blake and the crew are fired up and ready to scorch some asphalt! The car is shined up....Blakeis pumped up, and we are ready to go racing! Come on out and let's show those folks in Dillon what our Tennessee hero is all about! We hope to see all of you at the track on Saturday for what should be some great short track racing! Bring that Team 80 spirit and energy, and remember....always turn left! |
| Posted on Apr 26 2011 by Daniel |
| Here we go Jones' fans..... |
| A very tough qualifying session today....We will be running a heat race now to qualify into Saturdays race folks. We are in the 5th heat starting in the 9th position. We need to gain 6 positions to make tomorrows race. Now keep in mind fans.... even Sterling Marlin a 2 time Daytona winner is having to race his way in as well. That in itself should tell you how tough the competition is tonight. Keep the prayers and well wishes rolling folks! |
| Posted on Apr 08 2011 by Daniel |
| North Wilkesboro Super Late Race |
| Blake Jones is hard at work along with the entire Team 80 Crew. After getting settled in at the track on Thursday, the team was hard at work late into the evening getting the Mountain Dew/Amp Energy #80 car ready to be a serious contender for Saturdays big event. Today is much the same, getting the final "tweeks" to the car done to give Blake Jones the best equipment possible. Blake told us he "really likes this track" and we are looking for another outstanding perfomance from him. Stay posted and I shall continue to bring updates as we progress here in North Wilkesboro. Also, keep an eye on Facebook as I am bringing current pictures from trackside as the day goes by. |
| Posted on Apr 08 2011 by Daniel |
| PASS Race at North Wilkesboro |
| Okay Blake Jones fans... Come join Blake and the team on April 8th and 9th for one of the biggest events of the year. Blake will be racing his superlate model car at North Wilkesboro for one of the biggest purses of the year. On Friday, April 8th, Blake will be qualifying in a field of 90 cars for a spot in a thirty car field. This will be a 300 lap event with plenty of action in the field. Blake as well as the other qualifiers will be racing for a winners purse of $75,000.00! We would like to invite all our awesome fans to attend and cheer us on! Wade Day has been working hard to put a winning car in Blakes capable hands! For more information, directions, and details please go to: www.proallstarsseries.com for all your questions. Most of all, thank you to each and everyone of you that support us through the racing season and beyond. Blake will be back in the pro cup car on April 16th in Dillon South Carolina. |
| Posted on Apr 04 2011 by Daniel |
| Racing at Ace Friday, April 1st! |
| Blake will be racing at Ace Speedway in NC this Friday. After an incredible qualifying at New Smyrna, Blake has his sights on making a spectacular run here. Blake is well known for giving 110% to his racing which was evident in his outside pole start at New Smyrna. Blake also showed his talent by setting a track record and showing he can work his way through a pacl to lead the race in this new division. I encourage all of you Blake Jones fans to come join us in supporting Blake at Ace Speedway! If you are interested in sponsoring opportunities, please refer to the sponsorship link on the website for contact information. We would love to see your business on Blakes' car with great crowds watching your business logo leading the race! |
| Posted on Mar 29 2011 by Daniel |
| Pro Cup Season Opener |
| March 19th will be the season opening race for the Blake Jones team in New Smyrna Beach Florida. Information as to who will be carrying the television coverage for the Pro Cup Series is coming soon, so please stay tuned for that information and watch Blake tear up the asphalt! The entire team has been hard at work this off season getting the cars ready for a huge season. Blake had a very succesful test session at the Motor Mile in Radford, VA. and feels the car should be a very serious contender and has his sights set on another championship. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures from each race! |
| Posted on Mar 11 2011 by Blake Jones |
| WNOX FM |
| Check out Blake this morning on WNOX! http://wnoxfm.com/ |
| Posted on Feb 27 2011 by Paul Jr |
| Blake Jones Racing on WBIR |
| Posted on Feb 26 2011 by Paul Jr |
| Upcoming Events |
| Blake will be running the Procup New Symna races and will be testing a Super Late Model at New Symna next week. |
| Posted on Feb 06 2011 by Paul Jr |
| BlakeJonesRacing.com Ready for Re-Launch |
| We've just launched our new website thanks to eXlander Designs! |
| Posted on Feb 06 2011 by Paul Jr |
Content Management Powered by CuteNews