Erik Jones
CREW CHIEF: Chris Gabehart
TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing
POINTS: 4th
WINS: 4 (Bristol I, Dover I, Iowa II, Chicago)
LAPS LED: 627 (career-high)
TOP 5s: 15 (career-high)
TOP 10s: 20 (career-high)
POLES: 9 (Phoenix I, Bristol I, Charlotte I, Pocono, Iowa I, Bristol II, Kentucky II, Dover II)
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Jones earned Rookie of the Year honors and led the Xfinity Series regulars with four wins … Qualified for the inaugural Chase and advanced to the final round at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Improved upon his top five and top-10 finishes from last year during a part-time schedule … Led laps in 22 of 33 races.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Cole Whitt on old tires at Homestead-Miami ended his chance at racing for the championship on the final restart. Jones finished fourth in points despite leading series regulars in wins and laps led … Led 100 laps at Kentucky (the first Chase race) and crashed late. Also led a total of 215 laps during the Chase but did not win a Chase race.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2017: Jones joins a newly formed second team at Furniture Row Racing and moves to the NASCAR premier series.
