Joe Gibbs Racing decided to let Erik Jones go in favor of Christopher Bell, who was without a team for the 2021 season after Leavine Family was sold.
Jones, who in the last year of his contract with JGR, will have to find a new ride for 2021. While the circumstances of departure have not been very pleasant for No.20 Toyota driver, he says that he is not bitter with JGR regarding his departure.
“No. I am not bitter because it’s racing, it’s business. Racing is kind of a funny sport and I have been in it long enough to understand how it works.”
JGR has been behind Jones’ progression from the Truck series to the Cup Series via the Xfinity series. He started driving full-time in the Cup series in 2017 for Furniture Row Racing who had a technical alliance with JGR. Then in 2018, he moved to the No.20 car.
However, Jones understands the business aspect of the team and only thankful for the team who gave him his opportunity to drive in the Cup series.
“They (JGR) have done a lot for me. I don’t really bring much with me. I don’t bring money to the Cup series or sponsorship for the Cup Series. I have been fortunate for the last for years to race in the Cup Series with them.
“That’s a great foundation. It’s a great opportunity. You can’t let back and be bitter about it. It’s somebody that gave you an opportunity like that.
“I understand that from both sides and what happened. It is what it is at this point. It’s just kind of a chapter in the book right. Hopefully, we can start writing another one.”
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He can go to Petty racing when they wake up and Bubba.
Toyota could want him in the 2nd car on the team that Wallace will be part owner/driver. I wonder how long Toyota will go along with Wallace delivering much lower results than Jones? That Jones kid is twice the driver than Wallace will ever be.