MARNE, Mich. — Erik Jones made history on Wednesday night at Berlin Raceway.
The NASCAR Cup Series driver won the Money in the Bank 150 super late model event for the first time. The victory made him only the second (Brian Campbell) driver to win both of Berlin’s signature events — the Money in the Bank and the Battle at Berlin.
“It’s been a long time since I won a race here, and the last one was an emotional one,” Jones said. “I lost my dad that week, and this was the day in 2016 when he actually passed away. It’s a tough day like always, but it felt good to be at the track racing.
“I bet he’s got to be smiling right now.”
After lining up on the outside pole following an invert, Jones quickly shot out to the lead in front of Lee VanDyk before going into tire-conservation mode. Kyle Crump took control of the Money in the Bank 150 while Jones maintained track position in the top five.
Jones worked his way back to second right as the final competition caution of the evening was displayed with 30 laps remaining. All Jones needed to dispatch Crump was an efficient restart on the outside line that effectively sealed him the victory.
While Crump was disappointed a solid evening did not ultimately result in a win, he took pride in having an opportunity to race one of the best stock-car drivers in the country for the win at his home track.
“I kept waiting for [Jones] to make a mistake, but he doesn’t make mistakes,” Crump said. “I guess that’s why he races on Sundays. But damn that was cool to race with Erik Jones for the win. That doesn’t happen often, and if you’re going to lose to a guy, he’s not a bad guy to lose to.”
With fresh tires at his disposal, Jones felt he would be able to fend off any charge from Crump if a caution did not come out in the closing laps.
The Money in the Bank 150 victory served as a refreshing change of pace for Jones in the middle of an inconsistent season in the Cup Series.
“It feels good,” Jones said. “I’m a confident guy and always feel good about my ability, but it’s tough when you’re running not how you want to run. We’re trying to get things better on [the NASCAR Cup Series] side, but it feels good to come wrench with some good friends. This is a good crew, and it’s a super cool day.”
Crump finished second, with Bubba Pollard third. Andrew Scheid and Gio Ruggiero completed the top five.
Blake Rowe, Sean Hingorani, Scott Thomas, Trevor Sanborn and Austin Hull were the rest of the top-10 finishers.