"His contract situation seems a little murky" - Bob Pockrass on Erik Jones' NASCAR future beyond 2024

Erik Jones' future in the Cup Series has been a topic of interest amid the ongoing silly season. The Legacy Motor Club driver has maintained silence regarding his future, but NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass recently offered insight into the situation.

Jones, a three-time NASCAR Cup race winner, left Joe Gibbs Racing to join Richard Petty Motorsports in 2021, driving the #43 Chevy. The 28-year-old has remained with the team, which has morphed into Petty GMS Motorsports and, more recently, Legacy Motor Club following Jimmie Johnson's takeover.

In August 2022, Jones signed a multi-year contract extension, with the exact length of his contract unclear. Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass suggests Jones will likely remain with LMC next season. Pockrass also noted that the #43 Toyota driver's contract situation is murky, with the exact details of his options unknown.

Here's what Pockrass wrote:

"Erik Jones appears likely to return to the No. 43 car next season. His contract situation seems a little murky as far as any options and who holds them — he was a candidate for the opening at Joe Gibbs Racing. But the team feels confident he will be back in 2025."

Jones, who drove for Joe Gibbs Racing between 2018 and 2020, had a chance to reunite with Coach Gibbs after Martin Truex Jr. announced his decision to retire at the end of the season. However, the team chose Stewart Haas Racing driver Chase Briscoe as the driver of the #19 Toyota.

With the NASCAR playoffs approaching, a few seats are up for grabs if Jones decides to switch teams. However, Jones is reported to stay at Legacy Motor Club for 2025.

---

Erik Jones loses Battle of Berlin to NASCAR Cup Rookie

Before the NASCAR race weekend at Richmond Raceway, Erik Jones participated in the Battle of Berlin 250 Super Late Model race in Marne, Michigan, on Wednesday, August 7.

The 250-lap race witnessed Michigan natives Jones and Carson Hocevar battling for victory with Super Late Model legend Bubba Pollard. Cup Series rookie Hocevar emerged victorious, beating Jones in a crucial late-race restart, and took home a $40,000 paycheck.

Jones, a two-time winner of the event, reflected on his outing at Berlin Raceway and lamented a tight car. Here's what he said, according to Motorsportwire:

"I was just too tight. We were kind of third there all day to Bubba and Carson and needed to make an adjustment, just got too tight at the end. You know, I hate it didn’t work out. I got the lead there, and I was trying to hold it just to have the restart. Just didn’t work out. Yeah, close, and it’s hard to be that close but clean car, and that’s all you can ask for."

Returning to action in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway, Jones currently sits 27th in the driver standings with four races remaining until the playoffs.