Erik Jones (right) will drive a late model co-owned by B.J. McLeod and Travis Braden (left) on July 23-24.
Erik Jones (right) will drive a late model co-owned by B.J. McLeod and Travis Braden (left) on July 23-24.

Jones To Pilot McLeod & Braden Late Model In Florida

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Two-time Snowball Derby winner Erik Jones will return to the Southern Super Series behind the wheel of the No. 78 Fury super late model for BJ McLeod Motorsports with Travis Braden during Five Flags Speedway’s doubleheader on July 23-24.

Jones, who currently races in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Petty Motorsports, found a great deal of success in his short-track racing career that helped elevate him to the top level of NASCAR.

In 2012, Jones secured his first win in the Snowball Derby, a 300-lap super late model race held at Five Flags Speedway every December, while driving for his family team. The following year, the Byron, Mich., native earned his second-straight victory while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. 

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Pensacola in a super late model with B.J. McLeod and Travis Braden’s short track program,” said Jones. “I haven’t been there (Five Flags Speedway) since the Derby in 2014, so it will be fun to get back on track. Both Travis and B.J. have put together a nice piece for this deal. I’ve been wanting to do more super late model races, and this felt like a great fit to keep that momentum rolling.”

Jones recently returned to super late model racing by competing in the Slinger Nationals at Slinger (Wis.) Super Speedway, finishing 15th. It was his first super late model race 2018.