TOYOTA RACING – NCS Talladega Quotes – Erik Jones – 04.24.26
TOYOTA RACING – Erik Jones
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes
TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 24, 2026) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver Erik Jones was made obtainable to the media on Friday previous to the NASCAR Cup Series race from Talladega Superspeedway.
ERIK JONES, No. 43 Doritos/Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
Can you inform us slightly bit about your companion this weekend?
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Last year, we did a big deal with Dollar Tree and a partner, and this year, we have Doritos on the car for the race here at Talladega. So excited about that. Dollar Tree’s obviously been a huge partner for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB during the last three years now that we have been an organization and has grown that partnership with the 43 automobile for certain. They’re on a majority of our races and to have Doritos on there’s nice. Car seems to be actually cool, and I’m excited only for them and the publicity that they’ve this weekend.”
Can you inform us in regards to the Oscar plushie?
“We’ve brought them back on online and the Oscar plushie benefits the Erik Jones Foundation. All of the proceeds from it go to that to benefit the foundation. Oscar’s a pretty big fan. He doesn’t travel as much to the racetrack these days. He’s a little older and his kid brother is kind of taking his spot, but he’s still a big race fan.”
This is the primary Talladega with the purpose system change. Does that have an effect on the way in which you race?
“Yeah, I do not know if it adjustments it a complete lot. I feel for us, we strategy all these races fairly aggressive within the final handful of years as a result of this has been, within the final handful of years, our solely nice shot to attempt to win our approach within the playoffs. So, I feel if something, it makes it extra aggressive as a result of the stage factors are most likely extra vital than ever. The finishes are nice, however if you happen to can go and earn prime three stage factors in each phases, and even if you happen to get wrecked out on the finish, you are still going to have a good day, so I feel that is our focus. The stage lengths are most likely an even bigger change than something, that first stage is a bit complicated, size on some methods and issues that guys can do. So, it will be fascinating to see how that performs out, however I feel so far as the aggression facet, I feel will probably be simply as excessive as ever for stage factors.”
Is there any kind of technique change with the brand new stage lengths?
“Yeah, I feel there’s quite a lot of methods in that first stage that you would see employed. We noticed the 71 (Michael McDonicely) on the final Daytona. He had a technique that was going to win within the race and he was all by himself. The yellow got here out and ruined that for him, however I do not know, I feel there’s quite a lot of alternative there to do quite a lot of various things to say, I do know what the proper reply is – no approach. I do not suppose anyone is aware of. I feel there is a risk there to cease it. To do that’s going to take some critical administration of the run. So, I do not know. It’s going to be actually fascinating to see how guys run it. “lot of options in that first stage.”
Does it matter if you happen to get a lap in qualifying tomorrow or not attributable to potential climate?
“No, not for me. We are pretty standard as far as our package on superspeedways, and here at Talladega, to be honest, handling is so minimal, and tomorrow, with it only being mid 70s, I don’t think anybody’s too worried about it. The only thing you worry about is any small issue, that one lap is kind of nice, just to make sure that everything’s operating the way it should, but I don’t think any of us are too concerned.”
What do you want racing at Talladega?
“I’ve simply come to take pleasure in it for what it’s. I feel we do 4 of those races a 12 months, proper? Between two right here and two at Daytona. For me, I feel there was most likely a time, and there is most likely a time in each driver’s journey of their profession, that it is irritating, as a result of perhaps issues aren’t going nicely, and you don’t get the finishes that you really want. I feel me, of anyone, ought to have some animosity. Only time I’ve been damage my profession was right here, but it surely would not hassle me. I take pleasure in coming right here, and I’ve quite a lot of enjoyable with the racing, simply because it is so distinctive, and there are guys which can be good at it, to say that there is guys that, it is all luck, and no ability is a lie, and I feel somebody is not good at it. and you have to profit from it.”
Do you might have a special mindset coming right here versus a Bristol or Martinsville?
“Yeah, I feel the aggression. The factor I look ahead to most is race is lengthy, proper, on Sunday, however I am unable to watch for these final 20 laps, and if we make it there. That’s the final word aim. If you are in these final 20 laps within the prime 10 or prime 12 and the depth of that and what the sensation is and what you bought to do as a driver and the strikes it’s important to make and the nerves, it is thrilling. It would not get outdated. It’s a cool feeling to be in that pack and be pushing as onerous as you may and hoping no person else makes a mistake. That is one thing that is fairly neat within the seat.”
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