From start to finish, it was a great day for Conner Jones.
On Monday morning, ThorSport and Jones announced the 16-year-old driver would compete with the team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for nine races during the 2023 season as part of a multi-year deal. Later that same evening, Jones was in victory lane at New Smyrna Speedway.
Jones scored the fifth win of his career in the Pro Late Model division at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing and his second of this year's event, passing Katie Hettinger on lap 21 for the win.
A second win on the week gives Jones some breathing room in the World Series points standings and a confidence boost entering the second half of the week.
“I feel pretty confident," Jones told Racing America. "Our Pro Late program is pretty good right now. I think if we could get one night where we don’t knock the toe out, we’d have it by a lot more than what we did."
The pass for the lead took place after contact between Jones and Hettinger as they attempted to negotiate lapped traffic.
"It took lapped cars to get this win, but a win’s a win. The lapped car just kinda stopped and I wasn’t ready for it. I apologize to her.”
While the ThorSport news will take center stage for Jones tonight, Jones says it is important to stay humble and focused on the rest of the week at New Smyrna.
“It gives you a lot of confidence, two wins and a third. You’ve got to stay humble and just keep running. Don’t get too big-headed, keep trying to get the car better and better throughout the week and keep up with the track.”
Ryan Luza finished second, followed by Hettinger, Hunter Wright and Gus Dean.
The Pro Late Models will enjoy a night off on Tuesday before returning to action Wednesday with a 35-lap feature.
PRO LATE MODELS UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
FEBRUARY 13, 2023
- Conner Jones
- Ryan Luza
- Katie Hettinger
- Hunter Wright
- Gus Dean
- Charlie Keeven
- Jeremie Whorff
- Jimmy Renfrew, Jr.
- Dakota Stroup
- TJ DeCaire
- Mitch Haver
- TJ Monroe
- Cory Luciano
- Gavan Boschele
- Dawson Sutton
- Kent Baledge
- Ruben Caceres
- Brent Crews
- Johnny Aramendia
- Toni Breidinger
- Ryan Kamish
- Mike Mayberry
- David Weaver
- Glenn Styres
- Brandon Turbush
- Kevin Folan
- Chase Johnson
- John Weitz
- Carson Brown