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First Time for Everything: Jones Finding Success in Rookie Season with Super Stocks

By Chuck Corder

Just a few years shy of 50, Todd Jones figured he was well beyond any more of life’s firsts.

Leave it to a racing to dispel that myth.

Jones, who turned 48 on Wednesday, had never competed in a Faith Chapel Super Stocks feature before the season opener on March 30 at Five Flags Speedway.

And in his first race, the Pace driver accomplished another Super Stocks first: A trip to Victory Lane.

“Thank goodness we were good right off the trailer,� Jones said. “Hopefully, we can back that up with another good finish Friday.�

The Allen Turner Pro Late Models, Beef “O� Brady’s Sportsmen and Butler U-Pull-It Bombers join the Super Stocks when the gates open at 4 p.m. Friday.

Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, students and military; $5 for children ages 6 to 11; and free for kids under 6.

Jones’ hot start doesn't figure to be simply a case of beginner’s luck.

Strictly an accomplished dirt-track driver up until a few years ago, he captured the Modifieds track championship at Five Flags in 2011.

He and a crew of close friends built his Super Stocks ride with leftover parts throughout last season and had it ready in time for the 50-lap Snowball Derby last December.

Everything appeared to be going Jones’ way after he qualified outside pole. But just five laps in, the car began to overheat and Jones was forced to park it the rest of the night.

Despite the disappointment, Jones hasn't lost any sleep over what might have been.

“It wasn't too bad,� he said. “Whatever the racing gods want us to have, that’s what we get. No matter how hard we try, sometimes it just doesn't matter.

“What it proved to me, at the Derby, was that we had a good car. I was pretty happy with that.�
His high expectations for his No. 9 came to fruition at the first feature of the year in March. Jones started eighth, but bolted to the victory.
He has had little trouble adjusting to the new class despite the Super Stocks being a little heavier and operating with less horsepower than the Modifieds Jones was used to.

“It still can be a handful at times,� he noted. “It’s just a matter of how it’s set up. Thank goodness, so far, we've been really good.�

All for a car Jones had intentions of getting rid of before the season began.

The plan was to race the first two features at the famed half-mile asphalt oval and the sell it. But with Jones finding himself atop the points standings, those plans might be in need of a pit stop for a few adjustments.

Now, he’s even thinking about the possibility of expanding his schedule to include more racetracks other than just Five Flags.

“As long as we’re having fun, that’s what it’s all about,� Jones said. “This class is every bit as competitive as the Modifieds or any other that runs out there. In any class, everybody has good days and everybody has bad ones.
“I’m excited to being run good again. It’d be great to win another championship again in this car.�

A Super Stocks track title? That’d be another of life’s firsts Todd Jones would happily welcome.

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