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Destiny Looms Around Final Turn as Jones Closes in on First Five Flags Modifieds Crown

By Chuck Corder

The racing gods seem to be smiling on Todd Jones.

The Modifieds leader holds a 21-point lead over Gerald Wilkerson going into the season finale Night of Champions on Saturday at Five Flags Speedway.

The 45-year-old Pace driver was ready to accept his fate, regardless of how Saturday night shook out.

But when Wilkerson decided not to run earlier this week because of a scheduling conflict, that meant Jones virtually had locked up his first career track title at Five Flags.

Late model stud Bubba Pollard, who will be eyeing up the Allen Turner Pro Late Model track title Saturday, sits third.

Just 55 points behind Jones and with the Modifieds set to qualify, it is feasible Pollard could overtake the series championship if disaster hits Jones.

That’s why Jones isn’t counting his chickens just yet.

“You gotta have an open mind because the motor could fall out on the first lap,� he said. “We’re gonna race like we always do. That’s the only way we know how to do it. It’s just one of those things. There’s no guarantee.

“I’d loved to win it, but if we finish second in points, that’s OK.�

Jones and Pollard aren’t the only ones salivating over potential track crowns. While Brannon Fowler has ensured himself of his first-career Sportsman crown thanks to an insurmountable 94-point lead, the Bombers will come down to the wire.

Gary Goodwin leads Brandon Burks by just 17 points and with no love lost between the two drivers, it promises to be a wild 20-lap feature with the championship up for grabs.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Saturday and admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 1 p.m. with passes costing $25.

“Todd has been finishing every race very good, so it was gonna be hard to outrun him anyway,� said Wilkerson, who captured his 11th career track title at Mobile International Speedway last Saturday during the Lee Fields Memorial weekend.

Jones hasn’t won a championship since the early 1990s when he captured one on dirt at Loxley (Ala.) Speedway.

“It’s been a long time and it’ll mean the world,� Jones said. “It means a lot to (car owners) Clay and Kim (Mims). It has been a pleasure to drive for them. This would be a bonus. That’s what it’s all about. A championship is great, but the camaraderie is even better.�

Jones personifies what it means to be a blue-collar racer.

No wonder the gods are happy with him.

 

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