News:

Mechanical Issue Derails Strong Run for Erik Jones with 27th-Place Finish at Michigan International Speedway

Date: August 9, 2020

Event: Consumers Energy 400 (Round 22 of 36)

Series: NASCAR Cup Series

Location: Michigan International Speedway (2.0-mile Oval)

Format: 156 laps (3 Stages: 40 laps / 85 laps / 156 laps)

Start/Finish: 10th/27th (Running, Completed 156 of 156 laps)

 

Race Winner:  Kevin Harvick

Stage 1 Winner: Clint Bowyer  

Stage 2 Winner: Kevin Harvick

 

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1 – 40)

• Erik Jones and the No. 20 STANLEY Toyota Camry team started the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway from the 10th position and finished stage one in fifth place.


• For the second race of the doubleheader weekend, Jones rolled off from the 10th position on Sunday afternoon and was able to move up to fifth before the caution waved on lap 40 to end the stage. With the handling gravitating to the tight side, Jones pitted for four tires, fuel and adjustments.

 

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 41 – 85)

• Jones started the second stage from the fifth position and finished the stage in the fourth position.


• The race restarted on lap 47 with Jones in the fifth position.


• As the stage continued under green, Jones reported the changes did not help and the handling of the No. 20 STANLEY Camry was still too tight.


• The caution flag waved on lap 85 to end the stage with Jones in the seventh position. Crew chief Chris Gayle again called Jones to pit road for four tires, fuel and another set of adjustments.

 

Stage 3 Recap (Laps 86 – 156)

• Jones started the final stage from the 11th position and finished the race with a 27th-place finish.


• The race restarted on lap 90 for the final stage of the race with Jones and the STANLEY team in the 11th position.


• Continuing to fight a tight-handling Camry and a heavy vibration throughout the remainder of the race, the team informed Jones they believed the issue was mechanical and not something they could fix during the race.


• Jones continued to fight for every position, but the vibration proved to be too strong and dropped the team to the 27th position by the end of the race.

 

Additional Notes: 

• Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin finished second, Martin Truex Jr. finished third and Kyle Busch finished fourth.

 

Up Next: The NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Daytona International Speedway to compete on the infield road course on Sunday, August 16, 2020, for the Go Bowling 235. Race coverage will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC, MRN radio and SIRIUS XM Channel 90.