In a strange turn of events, Brandon Jones has won the pole award but will have to start at the rear of the field at Martinsville. The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver had a fast lap but had to replace a brake rotor.
Martinsville is tough on brakes. Brandon Jones knew he would have to start in the rear of the field before qualifying was over. He watched as no one was able to unseat his time of 19.694 seconds. A bittersweet feeling.
This will go down as a pole award for Jones, his ninth all-time in the series.
Brandon Jones’ qualifying lap ties the track record for the Xfinity Series held by Ty Gibbs. Let’s remember back to Martinsville in the Fall of 2022. Gibbs punted Jones, his teammate, to win the race and cost Jones and JGR a spot in the Championship 4.
That was also the last time Jones won a pole award. The Martinsville Spring race of 2022 is the last time Jones won an Xfinity Series race, coincidentally. This is a strong track for Jones, but he will have to shake the bad luck off his back. It won’t be easy to do.
Brandon Jones will have a long night on Saturday
In 2021, Brandon Jones started P24 at Martinsville and finished P5. He has a win, two top-5s, and two top-10s in seven races at The Paperclip. Now with JR Motorsports, Jones is going to try and find that magic that he had when he was in the 19 car at JGR.
Jones won’t be alone in the rear of the field. Chandler Smith will have to start in the rear since he never posted a qualifying lap. Smith took damage in the practice session and had to have his car sent back to Charlotte to be repaired.
These are two drivers who are fast on short tracks. Jones has proven that Martinsville is more or less his bread and butter. I like Jones a lot. However, you can’t deny he has slipped in the last year or two.
Making sure he can have a good race, not necessarily a win, Brandon Jones can make a lot happen. Momentum is key in NASCAR. Starting from the rear won’t be easy, but Jones will have a good shot at advancing through the field.
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