Second-generation Pro Stock driver ready to carry on the family name in driving

Rickie Jones has developed into a teenager wise beyond his years. The 19-year old son of RJ Race Cars owner and former Pro Stock driver Rick Jones showed the same maturity this weekend as a freshman driver.

Jones completed his licensing requirements during the CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com in Valdosta, Ga. He not only fulfilled the required incremental and full run obligations, but also established the second quickest elapsed time amongst the 500-inch entrants at SGMP.

“This is an experience I’ll never forget,” said an elated Jones after the run. “I want to say thanks to my dad for making this all happen. He’s a large driving force behind what I’ve been able to accomplish.”

Second-generation Pro Stock driver ready to carry on the family name in driving

Rickie Jones has developed into a teenager wise beyond his years. The 19-year old son of RJ Race Cars owner and former Pro Stock driver Rick Jones showed the same maturity this weekend as a freshman driver.

Jones completed his licensing requirements during the CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com in Valdosta, Ga. He not only fulfilled the required incremental and full run obligations, but also established the second quickest elapsed time amongst the 500-inch entrants at SGMP.

“This is an experience I’ll never forget,” said an elated Jones after the run. “I want to say thanks to my dad for making this all happen. He’s a large driving force behind what I’ve been able to accomplish.”

As accomplished as the elder Jones was behind the wheel, his off-spring was quickly developing a reputation as a formidable tuner who raced a Top Sportsman entry during the off-IHRA weekends. The Joneses made two crucial decisions.

First, the team would convert to 500-inch NHRA Pro Stock racing and secondly, the younger Jones would replace seasoned veteran Frank Gugliotta as the team’s driver.

“This has been a rush,” admitted Jones. “Just to come out here and do burnouts, make runs and get my license has made this an exciting experience. I’ve gained a lot of help and pointers along the way and we are certainly pointed in the right direction.”

My dad has given me a lot of opportunities to step up and has given me the freedom to take responsibility for my own decisions and do things,” Jones said. “For him to trust me that much is huge.  I have so much respect for him for that. - Rickie Jones

Jones earned his license on Sunday, by Monday he was driving like a seasoned veteran. Has the torch been passed officially in the Jones household?

“I don't know – can’t say,” said Jones. “Dad stood behind the car last year in IHRA when Frank Gugliotta drove.  He enjoys the crew chief aspect of it.  I've been outside the car for quite a while now.  I'm sure he'll be back in a car someday, I'm sure it's not his last time.  I'm definitely proud to have him as my crew chief and owner.”

Jones can’t determine if the pressure is greater serving as driver or crew chief.
 
“We'll see, I don't really know yet,” Jones said. “It's been a lot of fun the last couple of days but I don't know, we'll just have to see how it goes.  I don't really feel any pressure.  You just try your best and do what you can do.”

Taking on new responsibilities under his dad’s guidance is nothing new for Jones. He’s been undertaking more assignments within the family’s Quartermax and RJ Race Cars businesses.
 
“I've been working on assembly for quite a while,” Jones said. “I've done a lot of the marketing and the catalog design the last few years, upgrading of the websites.  I've seen a lot of things come a long way.  Since I've graduated high school I've been there everyday since I graduated.  Lots of long hours and not too many vacations other than coming out here to the race track.  It's been a lot of fun.”

While Jones might say that earning his license was a proud moment in his life, he’s quick to point out his proudest was in watching his dad win a national event.
 
“I'd say probably when my dad won his first race, I think it was 2003, just to see him win his first national event and be there to celebrate,” Jones admitted. “It was a lot of fun.  It was the first race of the year and we led the points for the next few races and it was a lot of fun. To put the car together and build it and to make the calls on it and tune it and to see it go out there and run faster and win. It was just very special to be a part of that.”

In Jones’s world, an opportunity means the world to him.
 
“My dad has given me a lot of opportunities to step up and has given me the freedom to take responsibility for my own decisions and do things,” Jones said. “For him to trust me that much is huge.  I have so much respect for him for that.”