Garrett Jones to Earn Rookie-Of-The-Year Award at Southern Super Series Finale
Jones Needs Only to Attempt to Qualify to Secure Honors at Five Flags Speedway
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 23, 2015) – While the 2015 Southern Super Series may be coming to an end this weekend at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., 15-year-old driver Garrett Jones still has a lot to look forward to. Jones, who is currently in his first year of racing Super Late Models, has all but locked up the Rookie-Of-The-Year award, as he is currently 115 points ahead of second place rookie, Harrison Burton.
This weekend, Jones is determined to reach Victory Lane in the No. 1 Yellow Goodson Racing machine, not only because it is the last Southern Super Series race of the year, but also because of how close he came to winning at the series’ last race at Montgomery Motor Speedway. Jones sat on the pole for the Alabama 200, dominating the first half of the race, but was taken out in the second half of the race after contact from a competitor sent him into the outside wall.
“We had a fast car all weekend at Montgomery, starting on the pole and leading some laps, which was great!” explained Jones. “I always try to look at the bright side of things. While this was our first DNF of the year and I had to watch guys we were faster than racing for the lead at the end, it made me want to get back in the car more then ever! Pensacola this weekend is the last race of the Southern Super Series season, and I have very high expectations for the weekend. I can’t wait for another chance at the win!”
Jones has raced at Five Flags Speedway multiple times this season with mixed results but is excited about his chances this time around. With Mike Garvey serving as the crew chief, Jones is confident the pair can get it done.
“We tested Goodson Racing’s No. 1 car about a month ago at Five Flags Speedway, and I was happy with how it handled,” said Jones. “We ran some fast laps during that race. It will be a tough race as a lot of out-of-town racers are coming to compete since it’s the last race at Five Flags before the Snowball Derby, so the field will be pretty full. As long as we make it to the end of the race and have some tires left we should be in great shape for that first win in the Southern Super Series!”
Being 115 points ahead of second place rookie driver, Harrison Burton, all Jones has to do on Saturday is attempt to qualify for the race to win the Rookie-Of-The-Year Award. This achievement is something he does not take for granted, as Jones has worked hard to be competitive at every race during his first year in Super Late Models.
“I would say I had a very consistent rookie season,” said Jones. “The Rookie-Of-The-Year title was hard-earned, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone who I worked with this year.”
Follow Jones’ final Southern Super Series race of the year by visiting his Garrett Motorsports page on Facebook, following him on Twitter at @GarrettJones88 or Instagram via @GarrettJones88. Fans can also visit www.garrettmotorsports.com to learn more.
About Garrett Jones
Garrett Jones began his racing career at just five years old. After starting out in karts, he moved onto quarter midgets and really hit his stride. Over the next couple of years, Jones captured multiple championships and titles including multiple National USAC .25 Touring Championships. In 2012 at 12 years old, Jones became the youngest winner in history at Dillon Motor Speedway in a late model stock car. Jones’ success continued in 2013 capturing both Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the UARA series as well as the Pro Late Model Championship at the historic Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, home of the Snowball Derby. In 2014, in a down to the wire finish after a season long battle where Jones marked three wins at the famed track in Pensacola, he finished second to Johanna Long. 2015 marks Jones’ first time racing in a super late model series.
Sources: Kayla Darrow/Garrett Jones PR