Conner Jones Bio
Conner Jones (born February 22, 2006) is an American professional stock car racing driver known for competing part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He drives the Nos. 41 and 44 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for Niece Motorsports and has established himself as a promising talent in various racing series including ARCA and the CARS Late Model Stock Tour.
Early Life and Background
Conner Jones was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States. His father, Robert Jones, founded Jones Utilities Construction Inc., a company that has sponsored much of Conner’s racing career. Jones began racing at the age of five, starting with go-karts and quickly showing talent by winning several championships in his youth.
In 2017, Jones won the Bandolero Bandit Virginia state championship. He progressed to Legends car racing in 2018, earning his first win at Dominion Raceway. The following year, he competed full-time in the INEX Virginia State Young Lions series, capturing the championship with six wins and multiple podium finishes. His early success laid a strong foundation for his transition into late model racing and higher levels of stock car competition.
Path to NASCAR
Jones made his debut in late model racing in 2019, finishing third in his first start at Hickory Motor Speedway. He competed in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series in 2020, primarily racing at Hickory and Dominion Raceway, finishing eleventh and thirteenth in points respectively. In 2021, he ran the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour season with GMS Racing and JR Motorsports, finishing eleventh in the standings with three top-ten finishes.
Jones also began competing in the ARCA Menards Series in 2021, signing with GMS Racing for a race at Nashville Fairgrounds where he finished fourth. He ran additional ARCA events with Cook-Finley Racing and Steve McGowan Motorsports, gaining valuable experience. In 2022, Jones joined Venturini Motorsports for a partial ARCA schedule, earning three top-ten finishes and a best result of third in the ARCA East Series at Dover. His continued development in ARCA and late model racing helped prepare him for his entry into NASCAR’s national series.
Conner Jones Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Jones’ early career was marked by success in karting and regional series. Winning the Bandolero Bandit Virginia state championship in 2017 and the INEX Virginia State Young Lions championship in 2019 demonstrated his competitive skill. His debut in late model racing in 2019 included a strong third-place finish at Hickory Motor Speedway, signaling his readiness for higher competition.
In 2020, Jones competed in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, gaining experience on short tracks at Hickory and Dominion Raceway. These formative years helped him develop racecraft and consistency essential for advancement in stock car racing.
ARCA Menards Series and CARS Late Model Stock Tour Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Jones made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2021 with GMS Racing, finishing fourth at Nashville Fairgrounds. He also competed in select ARCA East and West events, gaining exposure to diverse tracks and competition. In 2022, driving for Venturini Motorsports, he secured three top-ten finishes in ARCA and achieved a podium third-place finish at Dover in the ARCA East Series.
Simultaneously, Jones competed in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, winning races such as the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model Championship. His performances in this series solidified his reputation as a rising star in late model racing.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Jones joined ThorSport Racing to drive the No. 66 Chevrolet Silverado part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He earned multiple top-20 finishes and finished 33rd in points during his rookie season. He returned to ThorSport in 2024, improving slightly with six top-twenty finishes and a 31st-place points finish over thirteen starts.
Jones’ 2024 season included a notable incident at Homestead where he intentionally wrecked competitor Matt Mills, resulting in a crash that hospitalized Mills and led to Jones being parked during the race and suspended for the following event. In January 2025, it was announced that Jones would not return to ThorSport Racing for the upcoming season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Conner Jones is known for his aggressive driving style, particularly on short tracks where his late model experience shines. His ability to adapt to different racing conditions and maintain competitive pace has been evident in his ARCA and CARS Tour performances. Jones’ strategic racecraft and willingness to engage in close racing have made him a formidable competitor in the developmental ranks.
Notable Races and Milestones
Jones’ career highlights include winning the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model Championship and the 2024 Battle of the Stars. His ARCA debut fourth-place finish at Nashville and multiple top-ten ARCA East results mark important milestones. His transition to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series represents a key step in his professional growth.
Conner Jones Career Wins
Conner Jones has accumulated notable victories in late model racing and regional series. His championship win at the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model and the 2024 Battle of the Stars are among his most significant achievements. While still early in his national series career, Jones has demonstrated potential for future success.
CARS Late Model Stock Tour Highlights
Jones has achieved multiple wins in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, including the prestigious World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model Championship in 2023. His consistent performances in this series have helped him gain recognition and advance his racing career.
Other Wins & Performances
Jones’ early career featured championships in Bandolero Bandit Virginia state and INEX Virginia State Young Lions series. His success in these developmental categories provided a strong foundation for his progression to ARCA and NASCAR competition.
Conner Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Conner Jones is the son of Robert Jones, founder of Jones Utilities Construction Inc., a company that has supported Conner’s racing endeavors. This family backing has been instrumental in providing resources and sponsorship throughout his career.
Personal Life
Details about Jones’ personal life beyond his family support and racing career are not publicly documented. He remains focused on advancing his professional racing trajectory.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 season, Conner Jones will not return to ThorSport Racing. His future plans have not been publicly detailed, but given his youth and demonstrated talent, he is expected to continue pursuing opportunities in stock car racing. His previous seasons have shown steady development, and his experience in ARCA and the Truck Series positions him well for continued growth.
Jones’ career trajectory suggests potential for advancement to full-time rides and higher series competition as he gains more experience and exposure. His aggressive style and competitive results will be key factors in securing future opportunities.