NASCAR driver, team tease big announcement later today

Erik Jones and Richard Petty Motorsports both teased that a big NASCAR Cup Series announcement is on the way later today.

One of the many key puzzle pieces to fall into place so far in the NASCAR Cup Series silly season ahead of the 2022 campaign is the return of Erik Jones to Richard Petty Motorsports.

Jones, who was replaced by Christopher Bell behind the wheel of the #20 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2020 season, replaced Bubba Wallace behind the wheel of the #43 Chevrolet ahead of the 2021 season after Wallace left to join the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing.

It was also recently confirmed that JR Motorsports Xfinity Series crew chief Dave Elenz is set to join Richard Petty Motorsports as the crew chief for Jones and the #43 team for the 36-race 2022 season. Jerry Baxter served as the crew chief in 2021.

However, there is apparently another big announcement on the way from Jones and the organization later today.

Both the Richard Petty Motorsports team and the 25-year-old Byron, Michigan native posted cryptic videos on Twitter on Monday pointing to some pretty significant news.

https://twitter.com/Erik_Jones/status/1462814473429913603

In his first season with Richard Petty Motorsports and fifth as a full-time Cup Series driver, Jones recorded six top 10 finishes, including a season-high finish of seventh place in the inaugural race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

He finished the year with an average finish of 19.7, three spots higher than his average starting position of 22.7, and he ended up placing 24th in the point standings.

Jones has two career Cup Series victories, both during his time at Joe Gibbs Racing. He won at Daytona International Speedway in July 2018 and Darlington Raceway in September 2019. The 2022 season is scheduled to get underway at the former on Sunday, February 20 with the 64th annual Daytona 500.