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| Vol. MMX, Number 23 | May 20, 2012 |
Jones and "Mother Nature" combine for career-best finish
CHICAGO, IL (6/5/11) - Chicagoland Speedway was a race that Rob had circled on his schedule since last year. We came here last year, and I was able to get up to speed pretty quickly. I was really looking forward to running this race last year, but unfortunately we blew an engine in the final practice session. We didn't have a backup engine or car, so I had to miss the race. I've been looking forward to coming back here since last year."
"We brought a new car here and we had our best house engine in the car, but we just weren't as fast in practice as I thought we should have been." For a while it appeared as if Rob was going to have to wait for another day to finally race Chicago. "Mother Nature" had different plans for Rob and the ARCA series. A torrential downpour after the ARCA qualifying washed out the NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying and also delayed the start of the ARCA race. Due to the live time slot for the Nationwide Series, the decision was made to push the ARCA race back until after the NASCAR event.
This resulted in a 10pm roll off for the ARCA series that night. "I think that the delay was the best thing that could've happened for me. The temperatures were a lot cooler than they were during the day, and the car seemed to come alive during the race." Rob started the race from the 22nd starting position, but it didn't take long for him to work his way solidly into the top twenty.
We were fast right from the start, but unfortunately we got held up trying to get around another competitor which caused us to lose a lap early. I was eventually able to get around that competitor. The caution came out about a lap too late for me though, then we developed a push and the other competitor was able to get back by me one lap prior to the caution coming out. They were able to get the "lucky dog" and that spelled disaster for me." The handling went away on Rob's car during the middle stretch of the race, causing the car to be extremely tight. Rob subsequently lost another lap and wound up finishing in 14th place. "I'm happy for the finish because it's my career best, but I'm also a little disappointed because I know we had a better car than that."
The next race for Rob and his Hixson Motorsports team is the Raineater Wiperblades 200 at Michigan International Speedway on June 17.
Unexpected start to season yields good results
TALLADEGA, AL (4/16/11) - After missing the season opener at Daytona, due to lack of firm sponsorship commitments, Rob wasn't very optimistic for the follow-on race at Talladega. Approximately a week before the Talladega race all of that changed.
"I got a call from Wayne about a week before Talladega, and he asked me if I would be interested in running the race. He thought he had a deal in place for the race, but it fell apart at the last minute." Of course the Rob's answer was yes and the scramble began. His Hixson team had five days to prepare a car for the race before they had to leave for Talladega.
"The team busted their butts getting a car ready in time for the race." Unfortunately for Rob the ride was a short track/intermediate car. It had none of the preferred aerodynamic qualities of a superspeedway car--it had the wrong type of transmission and also had a weak engine in it. "It wasn't the best of situations, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from getting to run my first superspeedway race."
As expected, Rob and his Hixson Motorsports car was at the bottom of the speed charts following practice, but fortunately they had the luxury of using a provisional starting spot if necessary. When qualifying rolled around, an unexpected and fortunate event occurred when it was time for Rob to go out. His car was having trouble starting, and eventually led to a blown engine. Rob's teammate for the event, Nick Igdalsky, was already qualified into the race. As a result of this, the Hixson team decided to put an old RCR plate engine, they had as a backup for Igdalsky, into Rob's car. This was a tremendous improvement over the engine that was originally in the car.
As a result of the engine change before the race, Rob had to start at the back of the field in the 39th position. At the drop of the green, Rob was quickly able to find a few cars that he was able to draft with. This alliance lasted all day with the cars trading positions throughout the day. Rob was able to stay out of trouble and bring the car home safely in one piece for a 24th place finish on the lead lap. "This was a great opportunity, and I can't thank my car owner and team enough for the opportunity to run this race. I know that for most people 24th doesn't impress them that much, but when you look at all the adversity we overcame, this was like a win for me. We finished ahead of a bunch of cars that had a lot more preparation, better equipment, and bigger budgets."
Had it not been for a bad restart on the last start of the race, Rob actually would have finished 22nd, right behind his teammate Igdalsky. "I didn't even expect to run this race, but hopefully I can build upon this great run and use it to start my season off with a bang."
The next race that Rob expects to run is the Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 150 at Chicagoland Speedway on June 4th.
Rob Jones 17th in ARCA for 2010
TOLEDO, OH (11/20/10) - While the allure of ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards action is appealing to many, finding someone that would travel from Hong Kong to Mansfield, Ohio for a Saturday evening race should seem rare. That's not the case for anyone that has met Rob Jones.
Jones, who finished 17th in series points in 2010, works full-time for the United Parcel Service (UPS) as a cargo pilot, circling the globe from outposts like Dubai and New York City to London and Madrid. Despite his many work requirements, Jones found time to participate in 19 of the 20 ARCA Racing Series events this season, driving a schedule primarily for owner Wayne Hixson and also including races with Wayne Peterson. (read more...)
Pit Bull boards the Jones Express
SODDY DAISY, TN (8/26/10) - Rob Jones is very happy to announce the addition of Pit Bull Energy Drink as an associate sponsor for the remaining races of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to represent Pit Bull Energy Drink and the Hip Hop Beverage Corporation," Jones said. "Pit Bull is a great tasting drink, and I am positive that with Pit Bull, our team will have the energy it needs at the track to get the job done." (read more...)
DuQuoin race recap
DUQUOIN, IL (9/6/10) - Duquoin State Fair Grounds, the "Magic Mile", is the next challenge for Jones in this season of firsts. Duquoin is the one mile dirt track that has been host to ARCA for years, with many huge names as winners. On this day it has the distinction of being the first dirt race for Jones in an ARCA car and only the second ever dirt race for Jones. The day's practice was spent getting Jones familiar with the new sensation of driving sideways. Jones couldn't ask for a better team to give him a crash course on dirt track racing. Ron Cox driving a Hixson team car finished second last year at Duqoin and led the most laps at this years Springfield dirt race before being wrecked on the last lap by another competitor. As a result of injuries received from that wreck, Cox wasn't able to attend the Duquoin race. Jones still had more than enough help to get him up to speed on the slippery dirt track.
Jones was able to qualify in the 28th position for the start of the race. The early part of the race had some timely cautions that allowed Jones to stay on the lead lap, but eventually a long green flag stretch saw Jones go a lap down. Jones continued to stay consistent and run his own race. The goal for the race was to log laps for Jones in preparation for next year. Jones was able to avoid a few on track incidents and keep the car in one piece to finish the race in the 24th position. After the race, Jones joked that the only damage he got during the race came at the hands of his teammate during an early race spin.
The next race for Jones and the Hixson Motorsports team will be the Kansas Lottery 150 at Kansas Speedway.
Pocono race recap
LONG POND, PA (7/31/10) - Up next for Jones and the Hixson Motorsports team was Pocono Raceway, the track nicknamed the "Tricky Triangle". Jones was the second entry for the Hixson Motorsports team. The primary car was being driven by Jones's teammate for the weekend, Ron Cox. Due to the team trying to get Ron's car up to speed and dialed in for him, Jones didn't get much seat time during practice. Jones wound up having to take a provisional and start the race in the 38th position for the race. Jones took the opportunity to lean on his veteran teammate and ask for some pointers on how to get around the tricky track.
The start of the race was quite an adventure for Jones. A car at the front of the field missed a shift and blew up on the long front stretch, causing the field to spread out and go everywhere to try and avoid him. Jones was able to get by with no problem, and actually led his teammate Ron Cox into turn one. Cox had to start at the back of the field due to last minute adjustments made by the team. It took Cox no time at all however to get past Jones coming out of turn one as Jones gave his teammate plenty of room. Jones decided to try and follow his much faster teammate into the tunnel turn on lap one. Jones doesn't know if he missed the groove, and got into some marbles or what, but his car took off in a four wheel drift straight for the wall coming out of the tunnel turn. It took all that Jones had to keep the car from hitting the wall. Fortunately, the field was bunched back up for a restart due to the car that blew up on the initial start. Jones was able to get a decent start and find a few cars that he could race with to get comfortable with the track.
Once again Jones's familiar companion, bad luck, was waiting to make it's appearance. Jones reported about 20 laps into the race that the car was missing and sounded flat. Jones brought the car down pit road to the attention of his team and it was initially believed that he had a broken water pump. This ended Jones day with a very disappointing 33rd place finish. Jones was quoted as saying " we just can't catch a break this year. I would rather have no luck, than this constant supply of bad luck we've had this year. Eventually it's going to turn around, and when it does everybody better watch out."
The next race for Jones and his Hixson Motorsports team is the Southern Illinois 100 at Duqoin State Fair Grounds.
Mansfield race recap
MANSFIELD, OH (7/17/10) - Mansfield was one of those races where if you could go back in time, you wouldn't even have run the race. The one day event proved to be a busy one for Jones and his Hixson Motorsports team. The day started with Jones commuting from Hong Kong to get to the Ohio track. Once there, Jones's comfort and progression in the car was evident immediately. Jones wasted no time at all, posting some of the best times he had ever posted that early in practice. This left the Hixson Motorsports team excited about the outcome of the race that evening.
Unfortunately, the ever present black cloud that seems to have followed this team all year was there again. A blown engine in the next practice session, sent the Hixson team scrambling to get their back up car off the truck and prepared in time for qualifying. The team worked feverishly to get the car prepared and was able to roll their car through tech in time to be the last car on the track for qualifying. This however presented another challenge for Jones. He was forced to go out and qualify a car that he had never driven before, and had no idea how it would handle. Jones was able to get the car safely into the race with a 27th place qualifying effort.
The early laps of the race were spent making adjustments to the car during cautions to try and get the new car to Jones's liking. Finally, the team was able to get the car the way Jones liked it, and it instantly paid results. Jones began passing cars and moving up through the field. The day wasn't done for the teams bad luck however. While in the process of passing a car on the outside going into turn three, Jones was caught up in someone else's mess. A lap down car spun one of the lead lap cars, causing him to block the track right where Jones was running. Jones locked the brakes up and tried to miss the parked car, unfortunately he had nowhere to go and got into the side of the parked car. This was the end of the night for both cars involved, and the end to a long and disappointing day for Jones and the Hixson Motorsports team. Jones finished the night in a disappointing 23rd place.
The next race for Jones and the Hixson team is the Weis Markets 125 at Pocono Raceway.
Iowa race recap
NEWTON, IA (7/10/10) - The Hixson Motorsports team made the haul from Tennessee to the heartland of America. The next challenge for Jones was the fast 7/8th mile track in Newton, Iowa. The learning curve is still in full effect for Jones as he continues to log seat time and get used to these ARCA/Remax cars. Practice was used to allow Jones the opportunity to log as many laps as possible to help dial the car in for the race that evening. The one day event made for a long day for the Hixson team.
Jones was able to qualify the car in the 32 position for the evenings race. The start of the Iowa 200, the longest race by distance on the ARCA schedule, was uneventful with Jones making steady progress towards the front. Jones was doing a good job of battling the other competitors and the uncharacteristic Iowa heat during the race. While running solidly inside the top 20, the familiar foe that has plagued Jones all season showed up again. Bad luck struck two thirds of the way through the race for Jones. He had been complaining about the car going from tight in the middle to loose coming off the corners. The team decided to bring Jones in for a pit stop to change tires and take on fuel. Leaving the pits, Jones knew something wasn't right as the car almost spun out under acceleration while rejoining the track. Jones brought the car back around to the attention of his team, and it was discovered that they had a broken axle. Jones and the Hixson Motorsports Chevy spent the rest of the race on pit road with the team working feverishly to try and fix the axle. Unfortunately, their efforts weren't rewarded as they ran out of time. Jones and his Hixson team were forced to settle for a 25th place finish.
Next up for Jones and the Hixson Motorsports team is The Tim Richmond Memorial 200 at Mansfield Motorsports Park.
Michigan race recap
BROOKLYN, MI (6/11/10) - Michigan International Speedway brought a new challenge for Rob Jones and his Hixson Motorsports team. Michigan was the first opportunity for Rob to get out on a two mile super speedway that carried speeds upward of 200 miles an hour. Most of practice was spent with Jones dividing track time with his teammate for the weekend, Frank Wilson. Practice was uneventful, with Jones slowly getting comfortable and faster in the car. Jones finished practice 37 fastest out of 42 cars and qualified in 38th position for the race.
Early in the race Jones was making good progress, passing a few cars early in the going. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for bad luck to strike. Jones was forced to come in for an early green flag pit stop to cool his machine down due to overheating issues. After losing four laps in the pits while trying to cool down his Hixson Motorsports Chevy, Jones was back on track trying to log laps and stay out of the way of the leaders.
As the race the progressed, Jones came down pit road for another round of green flag pit stops for gas and tires. Prior to the pit stop Jones had been complaining about a loose car. After the round of pit stops, Jones knew immediately that something wasn't right with the car. He took a couple of laps to feel it out, and after almost hitting the wall in turn two he was forced to come back down pit road. This time the car was so tight that it was not drivable. It took two more pit stops to try and free the car up so it would be somewhat drivable. At this point, Jones was well out of contention for any kind of decent finish. The rest of the race was spent getting out of the way of the leaders as well as he could. Jones struggled to a disappointing 31st place finish.
After the race, it was discovered that during the green flag pit stop the tires were mounted on the wrong side of the car. Jones and his Hixson team both had a trying day at the track, but lessons were learned that will be carried with them into the future. After the race Jones was quoted as saying " this was definitely not the way we hoped to perform today, but at least the car is in one piece. We have a young team that's growing together, the competition better look out when we start hitting on all cylinders."
Pocono race recap
LONG POND, PA (6/5/10) - Pocono Raceway proved to be a challenging and disappointing weekend for Rob Jones. Due to previous obligations by his new team, Jones was forced to attempt to race Pocono with his former team of Peterson Motorsports. As the weekend progressed it became obvious that things weren't exactly smooth sailing for Jones and his Peterson Motorsports team. Trying to acquire funding to run the race led to a last minute change on the driver roster for Peterson Motorsports. Jones was moved from the primary number to the start and park number for Peterson Motorsports.
Adversity struck early for Jones and the Peterson Motorsports team as his car blew an engine early in the practice session. The Peterson team had a third car available at the track, however it had not been run since the Pocono race a year prior when it suffered an early wreck. The Peterson Motorsports team hustled dilligently to get the backup car ready for Jones.
As the day went on it was becoming evident, that despite their best efforts, the Peterson team was not going to be able to get the car ready in time for the race. Seeing the developing dilemma, Wayne Hixson decided to get Jones's primary car for Michigan ready for Jones to drive. Finally, just before final tech for qualifying, the Peterson team let Jones know that they were too far away with the backup car to have it ready for qualifying. Jones went to the Hixson folks and was forced to jump into his Michigan car to try and qualify into the race.
With no track time at one of the trickiest tracks on the schedule, Jones was able to qualify into the race for his second start with the Hixson Motorsports team. However, due to the last minute change, the decision was made to do a start and park at Pocono to save the car for Michigan. Jones started the race in the 30th position and finished the race 8 laps later for a 32nd place finish. When asked about the outcome of the race Jones was quoted as saying "I would like to thank all of the folks, on both the Peterson and Hixson teams, that worked really hard today to give me a car to drive. The day didn't turn out the way I had planned, but we'll regroup and hopefully get them at Michigan next week."
Next up for the ARCA/Remax series is the Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway. The race is going to be broadcast live on the Speed Channel at 5PM ET June 11, 2010. (story by Rob Jones)
Toledo race recap
TOLEDO, OH (5/23/10) - Rob Jones and the Hixson Motorsports team showed up at Toledo Speedway with high expectations. During practice it became obvious that the car was set up too tight. The team struggled to get Jones comfortable in the car during the series only practice session. After the session was over it was realized that the team had the wrong gear in the car, causing it to actually slow down when new tires were put on. Jones started the race in the 27th position.
During the early part of the race Jones fought a tight race car, which was made worse by the gear combination and new tires. Even while fighting a less than optimum handling car, Jones was still able to slowly move his way up the running order by dodging the on-track incidents and mayhem that accompany short track racing.
Late in the race while running solidly in the top twenty, adversity finally caught up with Jones. He had reported that he felt his gear shifter starting to get loose, however a long enough caution period never materialized to allow for repairs. During a late race restart, while going through the gears, Jones's gear shifter broke causing him to have to come to the pits under green flag conditions. The team worked feverishly to get him back out on the track as quickly as possible. Despite the hard work and fast efforts, Jones lost numerous green flag laps late in the race resulting in a respectable, but slightly disappointing debut finish of 21st.
Following the race, Jones was quoted as saying, "we didn't get the finish we wanted, but we have a great group of guys and I'm extremely excited about the opportunity I've been given". "There are some growing pains involved with joining a new team, but I'm sure we'll gel and be running strong in no time".
Next up for Jones and the Hixson Motorsports crew will be Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 at Pocono Raceway on June 5, 2010, broadcast on Speed 4PM ET. (story by Rob Jones)
Rob Jones, Hixson Motorsports pair for Toledo
SODDY DAISY, TN (5/20/10) - Hixson Motorsports is excited to announce the addition of Rob Jones to its driver lineup for the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. Jones, of Bowie, Maryland, will make his first start in the #23 Hixson Construction Chevrolet this weekend in the Menards 200 Presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway, and is thrilled with the opportunity. (read more...)