NASCAR: Another open seat has been filled for 2022
By Asher Fair
As expected, Erik Jones and Richard Petty Motorsports have agreed to continue their relationship into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.
When Erik Jones signed with Richard Petty Motorsports last year for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, the deal was classified as a multi-year deal. However, a clause existed within that agreement that would have allowed the two sides to part ways after the 2021 season concluded.
But that clause proved not to be necessary, as Jones and Richard Petty Motorsports have agreed to stick together for a second year in 2022, which is when the Next Gen car is slated to debut.
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Here is what Jones had to say about the matter, according to NASCAR.
"“I’m just happy to have it done at this point in the season and to be able to focus not only on the rest of this year but work on getting next year settled in with a new car and everything going on there.”"
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In his first year as the driver of the #43 Chevrolet following a three-year stint with Joe Gibbs Racing, Jones sits in 24th place in the point standings with three top 10 finishes, including a season-high finish of seventh in the inaugural race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last Sunday, and an average finish of 20.5.
He also finished in 10th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in early March and ninth in the dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway later in the month.
With one race remaining in the 26-race regular season, Jones must win to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Fortunately for the 25-year-old Byron, Michigan native, the final race of the regular season is scheduled to be contested at Daytona International Speedway, which is where he secured the first of his two career wins back in July 2018.
The four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked oval in Daytona Beach, Florida is also where Richard Petty Motorsports secured their most recent victory with Aric Almirola back in July 2014.
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The regular season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, is set to be broadcast live on NBC from Daytona International Speedway beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 28. Be sure to start your free trial of FuboTV today if you haven’t already done so!