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PRESS RELEASES 2008
Rickie Jones Loves the FANS!
August 27, 2008
Rickie Jones knows early in his career that the fans, are the most important asset of the sport.
Rickie Jones might be a rookie Pro Stock driver but he's already to express the appreciation generally reserved for a veteran in the twilight of their career. All the Quarterm
ax-sponsored driver has to do is qualify for the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and he's going to give a prime example. “If we qualify,” Jones said. “If we happen to stay in after Q5, I am going to get out of the car and on the way back on the return road, stop and I am going to shake everybody's hand along the fence from the finish line to the starting line.”
Why?
“Just because these fans, they come out here, they buy the ticket, they sit in the sun, they sit in the rain, they put with everything and they deserve that,” Jones said. “If it wasn't for the fans, we're nothing. I just love them and respect them more than anything.”
Jones is the son of former NHRA Pro Stock Truck standout and noted chassis builder Rick Jones. He essentially grew up in the sport.
“I've been around this a long time,” Jones said. “I try to soak it up like a sponge and do the best I can.”
Jones is Finding the Perfect Balance
August 14, 2008
For Rickie Jones, jumping into the world of NHRA Pro Stock doesn't just mean learning to drive and become competitive in one of NHRA's toughest classes, it also means learning to balance the maintenance of a notable chassis shop along with mastering the ropes as a professional driver. Jones is the Assembly Manager at the notable RJ Race Cars. Spending so much time on the road makes for long days at the shop and little time off, especially between back-to-back events such as the Lucas Oil Nationals last weekend and the upcoming Toyo Tires Nationals.
"There's a lot that goes into being a competitive driver," says Jones. "I have to make sure my head is in the game and focused on each run, of course, but when I'm not in the seat I'm working on the car, talking with fans and sponsors, or reviewing my runs and working to improve my driving skills. Business has been really good in the [chassis] shop this year so when I get home I spend most of my time there playing catch up from time on the road and making sure customers are taken care of. I have to switch mental gears constantly and be focused on the task at hand. It's tough at times but I really enjoy it and I think it gives me an advantage as a driver. Because I've been involved in racing on so many levels I feel that I have a good grasp of everything that goes on with the car, which helps me to make good calls both on and off the track."
Jones and the Quarter-Max Mopar Dodge Stratus Team head to Reading, PA, this weekend looking to take advantage of their consistent performance from Brainerd and capitalize on that by going rounds.
"Back-to-back races are great," Jones continues, "because it's good for me to be in the car as much as possible and it definitely keeps me on my toes. I love being at the track and everything that goes along with being a professional driver. I'm finding that perfect balance."
Rickie Jones Supports B.R.A.K.E.S Effort
August 12, 2008
GALESBURG, IL, : Rickie Jones, driver of the Quarter-Max Mopar Dodge Stratus, understands as well as anyone the need for speed among teen drivers in America. At only 21 years old, he remembers well that first tempting taste of speed. Growing up in drag racing, Jones also understands the dangers that accompany high speeds and the need to respect horsepower. Jones now joins the efforts of the Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe Program (B.R.A.K.E.S.). This non-profit organization was started by Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert after a car accident took the lives of his two teenage boys in January of this year. B.R.A.K.E.S was formed in order to teach teen drivers about the dangers of speed and unsafe driving habits.
Jones will be joining Herbert in promoting the B.R.A.K.E.S. mission of saving lives and keeping teens safe on the road through high school visits and displays across the country to teach safe driving habits to students.
“I can’t imagine what Doug had to go through with the loss of his two boys,” relates Jones. "I’ve seen firsthand the dangers of unsafe speed, and I want to help Doug in preventing what happened to his boys from happening again. The people he is trying to reach are a part of my generation and I feel like I can connect with these young drivers and hopefully influence them to keep racing off the roads and on the strip.”
Jones approached Herbert in Brainerd about the possibility of participating in the B.R.A.K.E.S Program and is already working to get other NHRA drivers involved in the program as well.
“Doug is pretty excited that I want to join him in the B.R.A.K.E.S. effort,” Rickie continues. “I think it’s a great program and I’m looking forward to being involved and helping to increase its awareness. Hopefully we can get more drivers supporting this thing and really make a difference. It’s important to me and the entire Quarter-Max team to give back to the racing community and I feel like the B.R.A.K.E.S Program is a great way to do that.”
QUARTER-MAX® RACING - Gateway Int'l Raceway
May 2, 2008
Quarter-Max Mopar Dodge Stratus gets 1st round win in Madison, Illinois
May 2-4 2008: Rickie Jones has driven his Quarter-Max sponsored Mopar Dodge Stratus to qualify 4/4. With high hopes of winning his first round, Jones
and the Quarter-Max Mopar Dodge Stratus headed to St. Louis. On the final qualifying session, Jones ran a 6.627 at 208.23 to qualify in the 10th spot. He would face Mike Edwards in the first round. Jones’ .030 reaction over Edwards’ .058 gave Jones a slight advantage. Both drivers had some tire shake, but some more than others. Edwards clicked his off and Rickie ran a 6.812 at 205.85 to get his first round victory.
"It was awesome!” Jones said. “I remember letting the clutch out and the car shaking, so I pulled second gear and it got side ways. I steered it back in the groove and hit third. I looked over and I didn’t see him. He must have had more problems then we did. I finally got to high gear; I was waiting for him to drive around me but he never did. It was an awesome feeling. The whole team did a great job. I have to thank Quarter-Max, RJ Race Cars, Mopar and everyone else who has helped and supported us.”
In the second round Jones lined up against 3 time World Champion and RJ Race Cars customer Greg Anderson. Jones (.037) had the starting line advantage over Anderson (.045). A great side by side race, Jones with an elapsed time of 6.648 at 208.36 to Anderson’s winning elapsed time of 6.623 at 208.62. “I saw my stage bulb go out before his and I knew I left on him. I really didn’t see him until high gear. It was a great race and an awesome weekend. It was a lot of fun. We had some friends, family, and employees there supporting us at our first hometown race. I can’t wait to go to Bristol and be racing on my 21st birthday.”
QUARTER-MAX® RACING - Houston Raceway Park
April 2, 2008
Our Quarter-Max Chassis & Racing Components, RJ Race Cars built, Dodge Stratus has been making really good, straight, smooth runs in qualifying. It has been so awesome to qualify at our first two races! At Gainesville first round we were just really aggressive and spun the tires. Last week in Houston we were too conservative, and bogged the engine. So maybe we have found our boundaries, and we’ll be shooting for that happy-medium setup at our next race in Atlanta.
It was an honor to race Jeg Coughlin last week, he’s been one of my heroes growing up as a kid, and I’ve wanted to race him |
