NASCAR driver hospitalized after being intentionally wrecked in Truck Series race

The incident was bad enough on its own — intentionally wrecking a fellow driver is never acceptable — but the optics were made even worse when it was announced that Mills had to be transferred to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Jones has been the subject of several smaller incidents over the course of the 2024 season, and in 12 starts — all of which have come in championship-caliber ThorSport Racing trucks — Jones has yet to finish inside the top 10, with a season-best finish of 11th coming at Charlotte on May 24. 

Jones' reputation as a pay driver — a distinction given to drivers who bring funding and sponsorship but lack results — certainly doesn't help him in this situation. Nor does his past history in the series, which has been marred by smaller incidents with other competitors.

Jones refused to talk to the media after the race, choosing instead to issue an apology via social media.

"I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so," the statement read. "Matt and I have encountered several on-track incidents this season, and I let my frustration get the best of me."

The apology is both a nice sentiment and a necessary PR move, but it rings hollow on an afternoon where Jones made an incredibly poor judgement call. 

It's not a crime for athletes to let their tempers get the best of them, but in a sport that is inherently dangerous, using 3,400-pound vehicles as weapons is inexcusable.