Legacy Motor Club Players, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek stand at the border of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs cut-off. As another cup series race takes off from the 1-mile track at Phoenix, Erik, along with his teammate, seems to be promising a bounce back.
Erik has kicked off the start from the 4th position in the grid, whereas John has lagged with grid position 19th. The Duo must pull off a sincere and steadfast approach to garner the lead. And with Erik Jones’ strong optimism, fans sure have something to look forward to.
Erik Jones Eyes Aggressive Racing at Phoenix Circuit
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Erik Jones, gearing up for the Phoenix race, expressed optimism about his car’s performance and its potential to be more aggressive in traffic. Reflecting on the car’s improvements, Jones noted, “What we had, I think it may be a little better in traffic… we could be a little bit more aggressive with it and try to make more aggressive moves with it in the pack.” Despite acknowledging that the difference won’t be night and day, Jones remains hopeful about making moves in the pack during the race.
Regarding tire performance, Jones mentioned, “I noticed a little bit of fall off at the end… but yeah, I think we’ll have a little bit more fall.” Comparing the car’s feel to the test in December, Jones highlighted similarities, despite the hotter conditions during the race weekend.
Overall, Jones seems upbeat about his car’s capabilities and looks forward to making strategic moves on the track.
Jones Reflects on Team Progress and Car Performance Ahead of Phoenix Race
In a pre-race interview, Erik Jones delved into the team’s recent improvements and his outlook on the Phoenix race. Acknowledging their struggles in Atlanta and Vegas, Jones expressed satisfaction with their progress, noting, “It’s nice to unload close and be able to work from it.” He credited the collective effort of the drivers and crew in refining the car’s performance, emphasizing the ongoing journey of improvement.
Regarding the qualifying performance, Jones attributed their success to a combination of factors, including experience, adjustments made during testing, and a better understanding of the new car manufacturer.
Race day in the desert. #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/qW8byHE9nN
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) March 10, 2024
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He underscored the significance of their efforts in the simulator, stating, “We started to figure out, you know what we got to do in the simulator to make things line up better with this car, with this body and transferring over so we’re still working through that stuff and getting it better.”
Jones also highlighted the multifaceted approach taken by the team to enhance their speed, emphasizing the cumulative effect of their collective endeavors. As they continue to refine their strategies and adapt to the new car model, Jones remains optimistic about their prospects for success in the upcoming race.
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As the Phoenix race unfolds, optimism surges for Erik Jones and his team. With improvements in car performance and strategic insights from Jones himself, excitement builds for an aggressive and competitive showing on the track.
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