NASCAR Truck Series driver Conner Jones has drawn attention for an aggressive move that resulted in a crash with fellow driver Matt Mills at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The incident has potential repercussions as NASCAR evaluates whether additional penalties are warranted for Jones. The crash saw Mills hospitalized for two nights due to smoke inhilation.
Jones collided with Mills on lap 77, causing Mills’s truck to spin into the wall and catch fire. This incident was the culmination of tensions between the two drivers, with Jones revealing his frustrations over what he perceived as repeated blocking by Mills throughout the season. Jones is an 18-year-old rookie driver for ThorSport Racing, while Mills races the No. 42 truck for Niece Motorsports.
In response to the crash at Homestead, NASCAR swiftly penalized Jones by holding him on pit road for two laps due to his aggressive driving. However, NASCAR’s Managing Director Brad Moran has hinted that this may not be the end of the disciplinary actions. Moran reiterated the importance of maintaining orderly conduct. He stated:
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“Well first of all, we’re glad to hear that Matt Mills is out of the hospital and doing well.
“That is the most important thing. As we know, the Truck Series is a development series and we want our drivers coming through there to race on Sunday.
“As you saw on Sunday, our drivers did not run over each other and we need to prevent that from happening in the lower divisions. I think there have been some discussions earlier in the season with Conner Jones and unfortunately, what happened on Saturday was not acceptable.
“The radio communication was not acceptable and the race director made that decision, which is well within the rule book, but we’re going to go back and look at it as well today to see if any further action needs to be taken.”
Jones issued a public apology after learning that Mills had been hospitalized. He commented:
“I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so.
“Matt and I have encountered several on-track incidents this season, and I let my frustration get the best of me. I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior. My thoughts are with Matt during this time after hearing that he been taken to the hospital for further evaluation following the contact on the racetrack.”
NASCAR’s response is ongoing, with further reviews determining whether additional penalties will be imposed.
