NASCAR THIS WEEK

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July 13, 2018 - 11:00 PM

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, we’ve all learned by now that plate-race success doesn’t translate to more legitimate tests of team and driver. We’re 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 Truex’s No. 78 and the championship run became the team’s major focus, Erik’s results slipped. And there’s been enough decent weeks this year to maintain that warranted promise.

So, more wins for him this year?

It’s very, very possible, but he’s probably a year away from being a weekly threat to win races. Front-pack presence on a near-weekly basis is the current goal, you’d think, and likely attainable.

— Ken Willis, [email protected]

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