Erik Jones, who has competed in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2015 with three wins in 315 starts, is turning his focus to the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a track where he has found significant success. Set on the historic 1.336-mile egg-shaped oval in South Carolina, today’s Southern 500 marks the start of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and Jones is aiming to leverage his Darlington experience as a catalyst for a win in 2025.
As a driver for Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Jones is optimistic he can disrupt the playoff field and play the role of spoiler against other contenders.
The Unique Challenge of Darlington and Jones’ Success There
Darlington Raceway is notoriously difficult to master, earning the nickname “Too Tough to Tame” for its unique layout where the racing line runs unusually close to the outside wall. Yet Jones has consistently performed well at this demanding venue. He expressed his enthusiasm at the track, sharing,
“I always enjoy this race,”
showcasing his strong connection to Darlington’s challenging environment.
Jones has won the Cook Out Southern 500 twice, making him one of the few drivers to claim multiple victories at this prestigious race, which stands alongside the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Brickyard 500 as a crown jewel event in NASCAR’s schedule.
His first Southern 500 victory came in 2019 with Joe Gibbs Racing, and he repeated the feat in 2022 driving for Petty GMS. Following the 2023 rebranding of Petty GMS to Legacy Motor Club, with Jimmie Johnson as co-owner, the team has undergone significant changes aimed at improving performance.
“Every time I come back here, I think about how much Darlington has given me in this sport. Let’s get a third tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/zQKUwRiMlG”
— Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver
Though Legacy Motor Club faced challenges early after the ownership transition, personnel adjustments between the 2024 and 2025 seasons have led to tangible progress. Jones has already posted three top-five finishes this year, tripling his results from the previous two seasons combined.
Jones’ Determined Mindset Despite Playoff Absence
Despite missing the playoffs in 2025, Jones remains a strong candidate to influence outcomes as a potential spoiler across the remaining races, particularly at Darlington where his record is impressive. With eight top-10 finishes — including five top-fives — in 15 starts at the track, Jones knows the course well and understands what it takes to compete.
Expressing confidence ahead of today’s race where he will start 19th in the No. 43 Toyota, Jones said,
“I feel like we have a shot to win when we come here,”
adding,
“I feel like this is our best chance in a few years. Our cars are getting better.”
He emphasizes that while previous seasons saw his cars fall short of contending, this year the team’s improvements have brought them closer to genuine competitiveness.
“I definitely feel good about it.”
— Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver
Jones appreciates the complexity of winning at Darlington, noting it requires everything to align perfectly during the race. He explained:
“It is a hard one to win. Everything has to go really well. A lot of green-flag stops. You can’t get caught in a yellow or a weird situation. A lot of things have to work out throughout the night to have opportunities.”
His detailed understanding of the track’s demands gives him confidence, especially since his experience tells him exactly what the car needs to do to stay competitive.
“You don’t have that feeling every week. There are not always tracks that you are comfortable at or had a car that was good enough to contend. But here, I definitely have that feeling.”
Legacy Motor Club’s Progress and What Lies Ahead for Jones
The progress seen by Legacy Motor Club this season parallels Jones’ improved performances. With Jimmie Johnson’s involvement as co-owner and notable personnel changes, the team appears ready to capitalize on their momentum. Jones acknowledged the success of his Darlington outings as a source of motivation and pride.
“It has been a fun one for me,”
he said,
“So, I’m excited to get it going.”
As the Southern 500 serves as the critical beginning of the playoffs, Jones’ potential to influence the championship landscape is significant. Should he manage to secure his third Southern 500 win, it could reaffirm his reputation as a driver able to rise to the occasion at one of NASCAR’s most historic and challenging venues. The outcome today will also indicate how far Legacy Motor Club has come in its pursuit of consistent success.
