Compelling questions … and maybe a few actual answers
On the Erik Jones bandwagon?
On, but not because of this past Saturday night at Daytona. Surely, weve all learned by now that plate-race success doesnt translate to more legitimate tests of team and driver. Were high on Erik literally because of his track record. Remember, last year as little brother to Martin Truex Jr.at Furniture Row, in the final six races of the regular season he put together finishes of 8th, 10th, 3rd, 2nd, 5th and 6th. Only after that, as Truexs No. 78 and the championship run became the teams major focus, Eriks results slipped. And theres been enough decent weeks this year to maintain that warranted promise.
So, more wins for him this year?
Its very, very possible, but hes probably a year away from being a weekly threat to win races. Front-pack presence on a near-weekly basis is the current goal, youd think, and likely attainable.
Ken Willis, ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
GODWINS PICKS FOR KENTUCKY
WINNER: Denny Hamlin REST OF TOP 5: Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott FIRST ONE OUT: Alex Bowman DARK HORSE: Jimmie Johnson DONT BE SURPRISED IF: Hamlin responds to what Joe Gibbs said Saturday. (Denny) knows we need to win races for FedEx. We need to get that done, Gibbs said.
