Ashton, Jones, and Langdon Emerging as Super Cup Stock Car Series Names to Watch in 2019
Statesville, North Carolina (March 21, 2019) – While the Super Cup Stock Car Series consists of a mix between drivers with storied pasts and some with aspirations of seeing what they can do out there in the great beyond, many find themselves completely content living in the moment in a 3,300 pound, 600 horsepower ride of their life.
Bill Ashton joined the series in 2014, notching his first top-five finish in his third career start and claiming co-Rookie of the Year honors. The Uniontown, Pennsylvania driver then captured a checkered flag that was a crowd favorite at his home track at Jennerstown Speedway Complex in 2016.
Despite alluding to a possible retirement in victory lane that particular summer evening, Ashton has now started 30 consecutive SCSCS points races and looks to keep that going throughout this year.
“It’s a habit that I can’t shake,” the veteran racer, who competed for numerous years in Street Stocks on both a local weekly and regional touring basis, stated. “I have met and consider myself friends with some of the best people on earth through Super Cup.”
Although everlasting friendships gained can make any day at the track a good one, the goal remains to better themselves and one another as time progresses and green flags fly. Ashton is no different and following what was an up and down 2018, a fifth-place points result was secured.
“I’m 65 years old and still learning,” Ashton remarked. “I should have spent enough time preparing the car, but we will be ready for 2019. I changed my (CT)525 (engine) from a wet sump to dry sump so we have better ground clearance and can dive the car down where it needs to without scraping the oil pan.”
Marc Jones entered his first season in the Super Cup Stock Car Series with a host of experience at the race track, but from a slightly different perspective. The former pit crew member for various major NASCAR teams adjusted well in the driver seat, taking Top Performing Rookie honors with a season best fifth place finish and was recognized as Most Improved Driver for his advancement from the beginning to end of 2018.
“For just stepping in to it, it was actually pretty good,” Jones evaluated. “The car is ready for 2019 and we’re looking for sponsors.”
The Mocksville, North Carolina resident has primarily been a one-man band both at the shop and on race day and has been working on some enhancements leading into the season opener at Dominion Raceway.
“I will have a new chassis that is more like the top runners’ cars,” Jones noted. “Hopefully I can compete up front with the fast guys instead of fighting the car.”
What has Jones coming back to the short tracks after years spent on pit road and in the garage at major speedway facilities in the past? Affordability is one major factor, but there is another that money cannot buy as well.
“For one, the love to race,” Jones said. “For what they spend on a pit crew for a race, we can run a whole season, as long as there are no breakdowns or wrecks.”
Ron Langdon came on the scene as an interested party early in 2016 and made his SCSCS debut midway through 2017. After having to take a brief break during the month of August last year, the Freeport, New York driver rallied back with a modernized nose and fenders on the car and some of his best performances to date.
“We ran Jennerstown and Dominion and had two good finishes,” Langdon explained. “We’re very close to where we need to be and trying to get it all figured out. (Director of Competition) Joe (Schmaling) has put together a package that people respect and keeps everything as fair as possible.”
With the September races as a baseline, Langdon put an objective in place for further improvement and perhaps a win or two in 2019.
“We have a new shock package and a few small adjustments that we made to be right there with the fast guys,” Langdon detailed. “That’s the goal at least.”
While having over 30 years of success racing locally did not directly translate to this current challenge and resulted in more adjustments than anticipated, Langdon has kept a positive and energetic outlook regarding the opportunity he currently has.
“At first it was a little disappointing; we all go out to win,” Langdon commented. “But you take what you’ve got and have fun with it.
“I get to do something I dreamed about as a kid. It reminds me of when I first started. When I have a bad night I’m still in a good mood, and I just enjoy the people and I love to race.”
On more than a couple of occasions, the journey off Long Island to the various SCSCS venues and back can be a lengthy one. Langdon expressed his thankfulness for the supporting cast that encourage him and are often right there by his side when making these trips.
“I’m so blessed to have the people I have with me,” Langdon emphasized. “Those guys stay the entire night in the shop and have the car back in the trailer before I get to work in the morning. I would not be racing if it was not for them.”
More information regarding each stop on the 2019 schedule will be released as it becomes available at www.supercupstockcarseries.com, Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), and Instagram (SCSCS_Racing).
Sources: Aaron Creed/SCSCS PR
Photos (credit: Patrick Miller Photography):
Bill Ashton 2018.jpg – Bill Ashton stands tall during a driver photo op at Jennerstown Speedway
DominionApril2018AshtonAutograph.jpg – Bill Ashton signs an autograph for a young fan at Dominion Raceway
DominionSept2018LangdonCar.jpg – Ron Langdon finished strong as speeds through the corner during the 2018 finale at Dominion Raceway
DominionSept2018LangdonSchmaling.jpg – SCSCS Director of Competition Joe Schmaling congratulates Ron Langdon after finishing a season-high fourth at Dominion
KingsportJune2018JonesPits.jpg – 2018 SCSCS Top Performing Rookie and Most Improved Driver Marc Jones looks on as he awaits his time on track at Kingsport Speedway
MidvaleJune2018JonesSchueBattle.jpg – Marc Jones (22) races under fellow competitor Jason Schue (3) for position in his series debut at Midvale Speedway