Jones’ Kansas experience pays off in Xfinity win
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Brandon Jones must have learned something during two stifling Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway.
He knew exactly what to do when he stepped in his Xfinity ride.
The 23-year-old Jones came roaring around the outside of Austin Cindric on the second attempt at a green-white-checkered finish Saturday, then won the race to the finish line for his third career win. Jones also won earlier this year at Phoenix and last year’s race at Kansas, though it might have been the last 24 hours that were more helpful.
With no practice or qualifying, many Xfinity drivers hadn’t been on the track this weekend. But Jones ran the Truck Series doubleheader on Friday night and earlier Saturday, giving him a little extra knowledge that he put to good use.
“It’s been a long two days. I feel exhausted. The heat is a big thing here,” said Jones, who did a celebratory in front of the grandstand, which stood empty due to the COVID -19 pandemic. “Looking forward to celebrating back in victory lane.”
Cindric had won both of the early stages and looked like he would tie Sam Ard’s series record with his fourth consecutive Xfinity win. Instead, he wound up second after leading 131 of 175 laps.
Harrison Burton was third after it appeared he, too, had the win locked up. Burton had built a huge lead over Cindric with three laps to go after a long green-flag run, but a caution flag caused everyone to pit. Burton’s team had a much slower tire change than its Team Penske rival, and that put him playing catch-up when the race went to overtime.
Burton wound up trapped behind Ryan Sieg, who chose not to pit and was on old tires, and never got a chance to race for the lead on the first try. He got a do-over when a wreck occurred in Turn 1 deep in the field on the restart, but Burton still couldn’t get enough momentum on the second attempt at a finish to push to the front.
Crafton ends drought
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Matt Crafton had won more Truck Series championship than he’d had races the last couple years.
That finally changed on Saturday.
The 4 4 -ye a r- o l d Crafton finally ended a three-year wineless streak when the three-time and reigning series champ held off Christian Eckes over the final 20 laps to win the second race of a doubleheader at Kansas Speedway. It was his first victory since Eldora in July 2017, a frustrating stretch off 67 races and oh-so many near misses.