P. J. Jones
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| Born: | April 23, 1969 | |
| Birthplace: | Torrance, California | |
| Achievements: | — | |
| Awards: | — | |
| 2005 Sprint Cup Position: | 62nd | |
| Best Cup Position: | 42nd - 1993 | |
| NASCAR Nationwide Series Statistics | ||
| Car #, Team | #43 - Curb Agajanian Performance Group | |
| 2007 NNS Position: | 131st | |
| Best NNS Position: | 38th - 2000 (Busch Series) | |
| First Race: | 2000 NAPA Auto Parts 300 (Daytona) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Statistics | ||
| 16 races run over 3 years. | ||
| Best NCTS Position: | 17th - 1995 (Craftsman Truck Series) | |
| First Race: | 1995 Copper World Classic (Phoenix) | |
| Last Race: | 2004 Chevy Silverado 150 (Phoenix) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Statistics current as of May 30, 2008. | ||
P. J. Jones (born April 23, 1969) is a racing car driver from Torrance, California. He has raced in NASCAR, the IRL, and Champ Car. He is the son of racing legend Parnelli Jones, and brother of Page Jones.
Contents |
[edit] NASCAR career
[edit] Nextel Cup Series
He first ran in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 1993 for Harry Melling. Driving the #9 Melling Auto Products Ford in six races, his best finish was an eighth at Watkins Glen. He again returned to the series in 1994 for two races with a best finish of 29th in the Ultra Motorsports' #06 Ultra Racing Wheels Ford. Jones returned to the series in 2000 with Chip Ganassi and Ganassi racing. His best finish, a 21st, came at Watkins Glen in the #01 BellSouth Chevrolet. He raced again in 2002 for A.J. Foyt Racing at Watkins Glen where he would have his first career top five, a forth place finish. In 2003, he drove the historic #4 Kodak Pontiac for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Racing at Watkins Glen he would finish 24th. For the 2004 season, Jones would move to Arnold Motorsports for five races, where his best finish would be a 22nd at Pocono. Jones drove the road courses for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in 2005 and also competed in races for MACH 1 Motorsports and Front Row Motorsports. His best finish that season would be a 32nd at Infineon. In 2006, he competed in one race with Morgan-McClure Motorsports at Infineon, where he finished 36th after a rear end failure. Jones raced again at Infineon Raceway in June 2007, driving the #00 Toyota owned by Michael Waltrip Racing and normally driven by David Reutimann. He finished 12th after starting 43rd. Jones also received an unexpected chance to race in the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway after Robby Gordon was suspended for the race by NASCAR following the events of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal the previous week. Jones started the race in 30th position, and posted a 37th place finish. Jones will again pilot the MWR #00 in place of Reutimann in the August 12th race at Watkins Glen.
[edit] Busch Series
Jones would make his debut in the Busch Series in 2000 for BACE Motorsports. After struggling through the first seven races, he would move to David Ridling's team for twelve races. His first top ten in the Busch Series would come at Watkins Glen where he would finish 9th. He would also compete in one race for Phoenix Racing at Homestead. In 2001, he would return to Phoenix Racing for the first four races and post a best finish of 17th at Atlanta. For 2002, Jones competed in one race for Tuttle Motorsports where he would finish 35th at Phoenix. He returned to the series in 2006 to race at Daytona for the Curb Agajanian Performance Group. He would finish 13th in his first start of the season. He would make another start at California Speedway in September in the Washington Mutual sponsored car, where he started 39th and finished 22nd. PJ is set to make a Busch Series start at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, MX for Richard Childress Racing and the #21 Auto Zone Chevrolet.
[edit] Craftsman Truck Series
Jones would first compete in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1995 with the #1 Sears DieHard Chevrolet. His best finish in 13 races came at Tucson where he would finish 2nd. He returned to the series in 2003 for Ultra Motorsports for a race at Homestead where he would finish 9th. In 2004, he would compete in two races for Ultra Motorsports and post a best finish of 8th at Phoenix. He has yet to return to the Craftsman Truck Series since 2004.
[edit] Champ Car Career
Jones began his Champ Car career in 1996 with All American Racing. Out of ten races in 1996, his best finish would be a 9th in the ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix. He would end the season 27th in the standings. In 1997, he would compete in 17 races with a best finish of 10th and an overall points finish of 28th. For the 1998 season, he would compete in 15 races and post a best finish of 11th with an overall points position of 26th. The 1999 season would be Jones best as he would finish in the top ten four times on route to a points finish of 17th for Patrick Racing. He has yet to return to the series since the 1999 season.
He also raced in the Toyota Sports car program with Gurney.
[edit] Indy Racing League Career
He drove in the 2004 and 2006 Indianapolis 500 races for CURB/Agajanian-Beck/Team Leader Motorsports with a best finish of 19th in 2006. Jones had planned compete in the 2007 Indy 500, this time for Team Leader/Dollander Racing in a car owned by Kent Baker, but was unable to find enough speed to attempt a qualification.
[edit] Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Dallara | Chevrolet | Practice Crash | |
| 2004 | Dallara | Chevrolet | 31st | 28th |
| 2006 | Panoz | Honda | 32nd | 19th |
| 2007 | Dallara | Honda | Failed to Qualify |
