BRISTOL, Tenn. — Rickie Jones has reason to be excited this weekend. In fact, he has several reasons.
The 20-year-old Pro Stock rookie from Illinois is competing for the first time at Bristol Dragway as a pro, plus he celebrates his birthday on Saturday.
“I believe I’m the youngest driver in Pro Stock,” Jones said. “Hopefully, we can win the race here at Bristol and celebrate in style.”
Jones already has good memories of Thunder Valley, dating long before the multimillion dollar makeover engineered by track owner Bruton Smith.
“There used to be a tunnel here near where the tower is now,” Jones said. “I would get together with a bunch of other racer’s kids. We would buy those plastic dragsters and race them down through that tunnel.“I also spent lots of nights out by the creek and just hanging out with buddies and fishing. Those were good times.”
Jones is now searching for fast times among the balanced and deep Pro Stock field.
So far this season, the best performance in four starts for Jones has been a second round finish at St. Louis. Jones, currently 17th in points, lost in the first round at Gainesville, Houston and Atlanta.
“You’ve got to run at least 14 races to be considered a touring pro. We’re hoping to make it out to 18,” said Jones, who tested at Thunder Valley on April 21.
The journey to Pro Sock began long ago for Jones. As with many drag racers, the first mile came in a Junior Dragster.
“I remember making an exhibition run at Bristol during an [International Hot Rod Association] race when I was like 10,” Jones said. “I spent a lot of time testing and learning before I made the move to Pro Stock.
“I got my Top Sportsman license last summer. I’ve just been trying to do the crawl, walk and run process, and just ease into this thing.”
The drag racing community didn’t need an introduction to Jones. Rick Jones, father of Rickie, is one of the most famed chassis builders in the sport.
“I’ve grown up around these guys, and everybody has been really cool to deal with,” Jones said.
Transition Game
One veteran drag racing insider described Antron Brown as a “human energy drink.”
While he’s one of the most excitable and dynamic drivers on the NHRA tour, nothing could have compared Brown for his transition from Pro Stock motorcycles to 7,000-horsepower, 330-miles per hour Top Fuel dragsters.
“It’s been awesome,” Brown said. “The rate of acceleration has is a lot different, though.
“The bikes kind of settle down once you go down the track, but the dragster just keeps pulling harder. I was ready to experience 3 G’s [forces] at the starting line, then that doubles at the end of the run. It’s different, but I’ve been able to adjust.”
Brown trails only five-time world champion Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel points.
The second class of the Thunder Valley Hall of Fame will be inducted this weekend. Last year’s class included Bruton Smith, Bristol Dragway co-founder Larry Carrier, NHRA founder Wally Parks, Top Fuel legend Don Garlits and all-time Bristol Dragway winner Rickie Smith.
agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544
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