Dean Jones: “No one except sweet baby Jesus would have kept me from freeing my son from a burning race car.”
An official then wanted the father’s NASCAR license for being on the race track while wearing shorts
Halifax Insurance presented the NASCAR Late Model 100 at South Boston Speedway over the weekend. The race took place on June 16, the day before fathers day.
The .400 mile track located in South Boston, VA saw a fiery crash. NASCAR Whelen Late Model drivers Mike Jones and Matt Bowling found themselves battling for the lead in the race.
Watch the fiery crash video below.
Just past the halfway mark, the two drivers raced side by side through turns 3-4. As the reached the exit of the corner, they fought for space.
Wheel to wheel contact, sent a jolt of energy through both chassis. The right front of Bowling tagged the left rear of Jones just as the cars unloaded off the 12 degree banked corner and onto the 10 degree front stretch.
Both cars were sent spinning into the infield wall. Sparks from Mike Jones and spilled fuel ignited the car.
Dean Jones, his father and crew chief, hopped the fencing and ran out onto the track to help his son escape the cockpit. That was a success, they both began walking away from the race car.
Dean Jones then turned around and headed back for the car that was still on fire. He reached into the cockpit and hit the fire suppression system. After that, with help of fire extinguisher that arrived, the fire was suppressed.
After all this, a NASCAR official decided to take the NASCAR license held by Mike Jones. Why? He had shorts on while on the race track…
Mike Jones was credited with 14th in the race.
Mike Jones
“Absolutely sickening,” he stated of the crash in a facebook post the day after the incident.
“I remember catching in an all star tournament when I was 12 and I got knocked out from a play at the plate. My dad Dean Jones hopped the centerfield fence and ran to home plate to make sure I was ok.”
“16 years later nothing has changed.”
“Happy Father’s Day dad. Thanks for everything.”
“We will be back.”
Dean Jones
“1st and foremost I want to thank the good Lord above for having his hand on Mike tonight and keeping him from harm. Matt bowling hooked Mike in turn 4 and wrecked Mike who hit the wall harder than anything I have seen. Thank you Craig Oliver for building a safe race car that protected my son,” the father stated on Facebook following the crash.
“Mikes car stopped almost in front of our pit stall and when I saw the flames, without any hesitation I jumped the wall to help pull him out of the car. No one except sweet baby Jesus would have kept me from freeing my son from a burning race car.”
“Before all the races were complete, an official asked for my NASCAR license for being on the track with shorts on. I even asked are you serious right now? That’s ok, it’s only a piece of paper. My boys are everything to me.”
“Mike was momentarily hung up from getting out of the car but he knows I would have never left his side until he was clear and out of the car. Thank you God he got out in just as the car was a complete ball of fire.”
“The car is a total loss but my son is whole and safe. It breaks my heart for Mikes sake because racing is his passion and he is so talented. He has never taken or asked for one penny for racing but he does it because he loves it so dearly. Thank you to everyone involved and your prayers but continue to pray for mike because his body took a tremendous impact tonight.”
“I love you Mike.”
Mike Jones crash video
Links
Mike Jones | South Boston Speedway | NASCAR Home Tracks
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