DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 11, 2014) – – Veteran ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver Terry Jones has good reason to be looking forward to his return to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Saturday’s running of the Lucas Oil 200 presented by MATV American Real.
For his 51st career ARCA Racing Series start, Jones, a native of Amherstburg, Ontario, will pair with Win-Tron Racing for his seventh start at the “World Center of Racing”, behind the wheel of the No. 32 Jones Group International Toyota Camry.
So what’s the big deal?
Considering Win-Tron Racing’s Daytona track record, which includes a win in the season-opener in 2009, Jones has never been more psyched about a restrictor plate race. It will also be the first event where the 42-year old hasn’t driven a car fielded out of his own fleet.
“I’ve been looking forward to the race since the Daytona test in December,” said Jones. “Relationships mean a great deal in racing and it’s because of those relationships that I’ll be driving for Win-Tron Racing at Daytona. And that’s pretty cool.”
Jones’s partnership with the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team stems from a long-time friendship with crew chief Mark Rette. Now, the two peers will unite as one and look to capture the checkered flag in one of the most hyped races of the season. With no points on the line for Jones or Win-Tron Racing’s second ARCA team, the duo doesn’t expect to have a laid back approach, but rather draft to the front and stay there.
“Mark and I have known each other for a while. We’ve tossed the idea around about me driving for Win-Tron Racing in the past, but we’ve never been able to put something together until now. I know what this team is capable of. Everyone knows. We just need all the dots to connect in order for it to happen to me.”
While Jones’ best finish at the 2.5-mile superspeedway is 20th in 2009, he feels the opportunity has been presented to him to improve that statistic tremendously.
“I’ve always enjoyed restrictor plate racing,” Jones added. “It’s a chess match in every sense of the word, but it’s also an adrenaline rush. In order to contend at Daytona, you must have a good piece of equipment. I have no worries about that with Win-Tron (Racing). I know what I’m getting when I show up. I feel that this is the best opportunity I’ve ever had for myself and for our partner, Jones Group International and I plan to make the most of it.”
Founded in 1995, Jones Group International is based out of Amherstburg, Ontario. Over the last 19 years Jones Group International, expanded its successful North American operations into not only demolition, but also abatement, remediation, environmental clean-up and investment recovery. The company prides itself on being one of the most trusted, adaptable, and cost efficient firms in the industry.
For Rette, a former ARCA champion crew chief, he’s looking forward to guiding his fellow friend at Daytona this week, but also is equally as focused on being a team player.
“It’s a big week for Win-Tron Racing,” Rette said. “We have Frank Kimmel with our team now for a full season and have a veteran driver like Terry (Jones) in our second car. Two strong drivers, who know how to race at Daytona. Frank’s looking for his first win there and Terry’s looking for his ever ARCA victory. Considering the strength of the Toyota Camry’s we’re bringing to the track, I like our chances.”
In addition to Daytona, Jones will return to the No. 32 Jones Group International Toyota Camry for the Saturday, May 3 running of the Talladega ARCA 200 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
Entering Daytona, Jones has 50 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts to his credit with one top-five (fifth; Talladega 2013) and five top-10 finishes to his credit. He has a career-best qualifying position of sixth at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in the fall of 2006.
The Lucas Oil 200 presented by MAVTV American Real (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 20 events on the 2014 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 51st ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 13 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 14 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:15 p.m. The race will be televised live on Fox Sports 1 with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring online at arcaracing.com. All times are local. ARCA, celebrating its 62nd season in 2014 is the preamble for the highly anticipated Sprint Unlimited for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) set to ignite under the lights later that night.
About Win-Tron Racing: Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Win-Tron Racing (Win-TronRacing.com) is the home of one the most potent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards single-car operations. Owned by former racers Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse, the team since has acquired the assets of County Joe Racing, becoming a favorable fixture on the circuit. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2014, the team will begin its eighth year of competition with a full-time presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
About Jones Group International: Jones Group International is based out of Amherstburg, Ontario. The company was founded in 1995 by Terry Jones, who is still at the helm today of one of the most reputable companies in its field of expertise. Over the last 19 years Jones Group International, expanded its successful North American operations into not only demolition, but also abatement, remediation, environmental clean-up and investment recovery. The company prides itself on being one of the most trusted, adaptable, and cost efficient firms in the industry.
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