NASCAR announced Wednesday that Craftsman Truck Series driver Conner Jones has been suspended for this weekend at Martinsville after he intentionally caused a crash that injured fellow driver Matt Mills during last Saturday's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jones was penalized under Sections 4.3.A; 4.4.B (NASCAR Member Code of Conduct) of the sport's rule book.
On Lap 75, Jones responded to a defensive move by Mills on the entry to Turn 3 by running into the rear bumper of Mills' No. 42 truck, sending it sideways before it shot up the track and slammed the outside wall. The impact caused a fire to break out on Mills' truck, with flames and smoke breaching the cockpit, before it slid to a stop in the infield in Turn 4.
While Jones had an outburst on his team radio that he was tired of the way Mills had been racing him throughout the season, Mills was in clear distress upon climbing from his truck and was later transported to Jackson South Medical Center for further evaluation after suffering from smoke inhalation. Mills spent two nights in the hospital before being released on Monday morning.
Connor Jones receives a 2-lap penalty after the incident with Matt Mills. Here's what happened: https://t.co/YrSAOkVuPW pic.twitter.com/h9dfPU78F2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 26, 2024
After receiving a two-lap penalty for reckless driving and declining comment in post-race, Jones, 18, took responsibility for the incident in a statement on Saturday evening and the unintended consequences of his actions.
"I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed," read the statement. "I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior."
According to an update to the entry list for Friday night's Truck race at Martinsville Speedway, Jones' No. 66 Ford will now be driven by 2016 series champion Johnny Sauter, while Mills will return to the driver's seat despite his hospital stay. Jones has made 12 starts this season with a best finish of 11th at Charlotte.
In addition to the behavioral penalty to Jones, NASCAR has also issued an L1-level penalty to the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports team for improperly mounted ballast on Layne Riggs' truck, suspending crew chief Dylan Cappello for Friday's race and docking the team of 10 driver and owner points. Spire Motorsports crew chief Charles Walter has also been fined $10,000 for an improperly secured lug nut found on Rajah Caruth's truck in post-race inspection.
