The finish at the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville didn’t go according to plan for Legacy Motor Club’s Erik Jones. NASCAR cited Jones’ No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE as failing to meet minimum on-track weight requirements. The franchise contends that a vehicle must weigh no more than 3,300 pounds. Despite the mishap, the LMC driver had a good run, leading 79 laps and finishing stage 1 in P5. Therefore, being relegated from P24 to P38 was a definite blow. Legacy Motorclub has since spoken out regarding the disqualification.
Statement on Erik Jones Martinsville Disqualification
In the wake of Erik Jones’ disqualification at the Martinsville Cook Out 400, Legacy Motor Club announced it does not plan to appeal the decision. The team issued a statement to FOX Motorsports Journalist Bob Pockrass. Pockrass took to the social media platform X, tweeting the statement shortly after its release. The statement highlights that the team came to a decision pretty quickly after conducting an audit on Monday.
It also suggests that the weight margin was insufficient for the Toyota Camry XSE to meet the minimum weight requirements post-race. The team then mentioned that they accept full responsibility for the mishap and are working on ways to prevent it going forward. Legacy Motor Club driver capped off the statement with an apology to NASCAR, fans, and partners.
Legacy Motorclub Official Statement
“Legacy Motor Club will not appeal the disqualification of the No. 43 car following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.” “We understand NASCAR allows a clear margin to account for the difference in pre and post-race weight,” After a thorough audit by the CLUB today, we have concluded that we did not give ourselves enough margin to meet the post-race requirement. Although it was not intentional, we are taking steps internally to prevent this from happening again. We therefore accept the penalty and apologize to NASCAR, our partners and fans.”
What Does This Mean For Jones’ Playoff Standings?
With the NASCAR playoffs looming, the biggest question on everyone’s minds is how Erik Jones’ Sunday disqualification will impact his standings. Ideally, the LMC driver should be 21st, but after only earning a single point, Sunday is now 29th for overall playoff standings. Even so, he will still run in the playoffs but could’ve had 51 additional points toward his ranking.
Jones candidly spoke to reporters post-race about his disqualification, stating that he accepts full responsibility. The driver also made it clear that he wasn’t pointing the finger at any one person on his team and that everyone makes mistakes. Additionally, the driver mentioned his readiness for Darlington and contended that he and his team know where they went wrong and how to fix it.
“I think we know where we were, why it happened, and where it happened,” Jones said. “Definitely something in place to make that not happen. I would be shocked if it happened again. I think we know what happened, and it will be buttoned up for the next one,” Erik Jones said of his Martinsville weight disqualification.
“It’s easier when it’s not your fault, right,” “This was on the 43 group, and that’s tough, right, but it is easier to swallow when it’s not something I did because I will dwell on my mistakes or when I wreck. You just have to put it in the bank and know that everyone is going to make mistakes on the team, and this one unfortunately cost us pretty big,” Jones concluded.
Final Thoughts
Erik Jones may be heading into Darlington minus 51 playoff points, but he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make up for it. Over his Cup Series career, he’s amassed 3 overall wins, 90 top-tens, and secured two poles. Ironically, the No. 43 driver’s last win was in 2022 at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He ended the season 18th in the playoff standings, beating veteran driver and teammate Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin took the runner-up spot in 0.252 seconds. Post-Martinsville Hamlin is itching for another piece of the pie this weekend at Darlington, but Erik Jones has ground to make up. If Jones wishes to make up the 51 points he lost after his Martinsville disqualification, he must finish in the top ten. Will Hamlin challenge Erik Jones’ chance at reclaiming what was lost? Or will Hamlin be the victor?
