Jimmie Johnson’s team of young drivers has been spiraling in the racing game this year. With the exception of a few races, both John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones have finished outside the top 10. Erik Jones’ misfortune further faced a painful twist in Talladega. A multi-car wreck slammed his car into the outer wall, causing a searing pain in his back. The sight of the crash was chilling in itself, and Jones added to fans’ worry when doctors asked him to rest and sit out races.

Jones was sidelined for two weeks, missing Dover and Kansas. However, the No. 43 driver is gearing up for a roaring comeback at Darlington. His improved health aligns well with the upcoming race, where Jones poses a threat to other drivers.

Erik Jones is leaving no stone unturned to grab the wheel again

Despite his bleak 2024 luck, Erik Jones was a force to reckon with among drivers. He has three Cup wins under his belt, and two of those were achieved at the “Too Tough To Tame” Darlington Raceway. After the Talladega injury, Jones worked hard to restore his health to make it back to NASCAR just in time for the Goodyear 400 race.

Talking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the No. 43 driver discussed his health conditions, saying, “First off, I feel good. First week out, obviously pretty sore. Trying to rest up, feeling better…By last week, before Kansas, I was starting to feel pretty good, had some soreness…Really, last Friday, started to feel pretty good, and feel back to 100%.” 

Then Jones let slip his meticulous plan of getting back into shape. “The two weeks out, I’ve really been kinda busy. You know, staying busy with appointments, working to get cleared, and obviously trying to get back in the gym, and back in some kind of workout routine to make sure that I feel good in the car, and my body can handle everything. Was in a simulator a little bit, and testing all that out.”

Hence Erik Jones is making the most out of everything so that he is in his best form on Sunday. “I’m just confident that when I strap in tomorrow morning, go make laps in practice. And in the race on Sunday, I’m gonna feel how I need to feel to go out and be successful. So all that stuff, and getting ready to do it.”

Jones’s return to the race track also coincides with a gorgeous tribute to one of NASCAR’s legends.

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Jones will hail The King at Darlington

Darlington Raceway hosts one of the most engaging races on the NASCAR schedule. One simple reason for it: the Throwback Weekend. Nine years ago, officials began the tradition of donning retro looks at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval. Drivers pay tribute to bygone racing veterans via decked-up car liveries or firesuits. Erik Jones will also be paying tribute to the winningest racer in NASCAR history.

Jones’ No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE will honor Richard ‘The King’ Petty. The team will wear an early rendition of the 1959 Plymouth Fury. The car will be wrapped in a white and Petty blue livery with AdventHealth’s ‘Feel Whole’ slogan sprayed on the side. This represents the ‘Air Lift’ logo that was on the car in the sport’s premature days.

Hence Erik Jones will make a show out of his much-awaited comeback to the NASCAR race tracks.