| Rob Jones: From Cockpit to Cockpit | by Skip Wall
Rob Jones is a man on a mission. He has done flybys in planes at various NASCAR races and NFL football games.
But the cockpit of a plane isn't where this Bowie MD. resident wants to be. Jones hopes to be racing in the Nationwide Series within the next three to four years. That's his long term goal.
However, Jones for now wants to just get his racing started. And this weekend Jones will get that chance when he will be the first black driver to compete in the Super Cup Stock Car Series next event at Newport TN.
Jones knows what it takes to go racing and has a good head on his shoulder in which to take a step at a time to get to the Nationwide Series.
"I am currently trying to acquire funding to race in the Arca/Remax Series for the season (08), and possibly for selected events in the NASCAR Camping World East Series" he says.
Until that funding comes, Jones has found a ride in the Super Cup and will be testing on Friday and racing at the Super Cup event in Newport on Saturday.
Jones means business when he says he wants to race. He is a graduate of Mike Loechers Finishline Racing School in Florida, an assistant driving instructor for Try It Racing Driving and has experience in legends and late model racing.
He also competed in the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, a series where female driver Megan Reitenour, a Super Cup driver herself, also competed in. He even competed in an ARCA race on the high banks of Winchester.
Jones' mentorship came from such notables as Doc Watson, Geoff Bodine, Butch Fedewa, Bill Venturini and veteran Junie Donlavey of Richmond VA.
Running in the Super Cup Stock Car Series can only help Jones in his pursuit of racing. This new series can help escalate his attempts in racing. There has been a different winner at each race this season. Jones feels that he will be in equal equipment as the other series regulars and can compete with the current competition.
"While I like racing where I can, my long term goals are to be racing in the highest racing series that my talent and opportunity will take me. I would like to be racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series within the next three to four years" he says.
For right now, that opportunity is in the heart of Super Cup where Jones will have a shot at a win should he have a good test session on Friday.
Jones has a degree in Aircraft Systems Mgt, from Delaware State University and is employed with UPS Airlines.
Jones has a lot going for him. He does numerous speaking engagements in high schools, churches and youth career days.
His love for the martial arts will help him concentrate on what it takes to compete in the cockpit of a race car.
While flying is in his genes, Jones wants to be flying in a stock car as a hobby and possibly grow further.
This weekend at Newport, those dreams get to come true.
It just goes to show you that determination will you far in the world of racing, if you set you mind to it.
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