NASCAR driver Erik Jones competed with a heavy heart in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race four days after his father died following a brief battle with cancer.
NASCAR driver Erik Jones pays tribute to late father before Michigan Xfinity Series race
Jones’ father lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Dave Jones, 53, died on Tuesday.
Erik Jones placed his father’s first name above the drivers-side window on his car just before the Menards 250 at Michigan International Speedway -- roughly 70 miles away from Jones’ hometown of Byron, Mich. He also posted a tribute on Twitter.
To confirm - my father did pass away on Tuesday. Take it to the limit Papa Bear pic.twitter.com/IsCybrHWH4
— Erik Jones (@erik_jones) June 11, 2016
Jones, regarded as one of NASCAR’s top prospects, finished fourth in Saturday’s Xfinity event. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez won the race.
“I wish he could be here, but it was a good day overall for us,” Jones said. “We miss him a lot.”
Jones revealed in April following an Xfinity Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway that his father had been diagnosed with cancer the month prior. That win by the 20-year-old was the first race he won without his father present.
“Not to bring the mood down, but I was actually talking to my parents,” Jones said on April 16 during the winner’s press conference. “My dad, I figure we need to announce it at some time, but he got diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. He’s going through treatment now and he’s missed the last few weeks.”
“Just pretty emotional. It was the first race I’ve won that they haven’t been here for and it’s hard to hold the emotions back for that one.”
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