The Dale Earnhardt Jr CARS Tour controversy at Langley Speedway intensified after part-time NASCAR driver Conner Jones was fined $500 and put on probation for initiating a brawl with Parker Eatmon following the Visit Hampton 125 on May 31, 2025. This disciplinary measure, which will remain in effect for the rest of the racing season, comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Jones’s conduct within the stock car series co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Penalties Follow Post-Race Altercation at Langley Speedway
Conner Jones, who also competes on a part-time basis in the Craftsman Truck Series with Niece Motorsports, faced immediate action from series officials after his involvement in the post-race scuffle at Langley Speedway. The 19-year-old was found to have violated core rules, including those covering actions detrimental to the series and endangerment of fellow competitors. These infractions were defined under the CARS Tour General Rules and Procedure Rule Book, specifically citing articles 6.7.1 and 6.7.13.
The altercation placed the spotlight squarely on Jones, who previously received a one-race suspension last year for deliberately causing a crash that sent Matt Mills to the hospital after an incident at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The repeated behavioral issues have triggered frustration throughout the NASCAR community and put additional pressure on the series to uphold its standards.
Details of Jones’s most recent penalty were first highlighted by NASCAR Insider Toby Christie.
“Part-time NASCAR Truck Series driver Conner Jones has been penalized for a scuffle in the @CARSTour last weekend. Jones has been fined $500 and placed on probation for the remainder of the season,”
Christie wrote. —Toby Christie, NASCAR Insider
Despite the controversy, Jones is still listed to compete with Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, though his full schedule remains unclear. His first outing this year saw him finish 27th at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the #44 Chevrolet Silverado, taking over for Christian Rose, who was sidelined by sponsorship issues.
Disruptions Overshadow Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Reunion with Budweiser
The reputation of the CARS Tour faced further strain in November 2024 during the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motors Speedway, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. reunited with former sponsor Budweiser. The event, which was intended as a high-profile celebration of Earnhardt Jr.’s history with Budweiser and Dale Earnhardt, Inc., was marred when Conner Jones became involved in another physical confrontation—this time with Mason Diaz under a red flag.
Mason Diaz recounted that he accidentally nudged Jones on the track but deliberately did not take advantage by passing, signaling no ill intent. Nonetheless, Jones chose to retaliate, causing a multi-car crash that led to further controversy and safety concerns during an event that already held great significance for the NASCAR legend.
Earnhardt Jr. Overcomes Obstacles in Memorable Return
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a 26-time NASCAR Cup race winner and native of Kannapolis, drove the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet during the South Carolina 400. His day, while marked by mechanical setbacks including a fuel pump failure, was notable for his remarkable run from the back of the field up to second position before being forced to retire early. Despite these complications, Earnhardt Jr. described his experience as enjoyable, crediting the large turnout and high expectations from fans.
“To be able to drive through the field like that was probably a lot of fun for folks to watch. And, you know, when you put something like this together, it’s a ton of pressure… When you get here and you’re at the racetrack, you’re like, holy shit, there’s a lot of people here that are really excited about this, and now we’ve got to go out there and do something cool,”
he said via Frontstretch Grassroots. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Cup race winner
Budweiser’s partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. dates back to his years driving for his late father’s team, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. That sponsorship concluded in 2008 when Earnhardt moved to Hendrick Motorsports to drive the #88 Chevrolet, ahead of his retirement from full-time competition in 2017.
Implications for the CARS Tour and NASCAR Community
The repeated incidents involving Conner Jones have heightened doubts among fans and insiders about consistent enforcement of rules and standards across the CARS Tour and the broader NASCAR world. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and fellow series organizers face mounting pressure to demonstrate leadership and maintain the integrity of their racing events. With Jones on probation and continued scrutiny over on- and off-track behavior, the path forward may determine the public’s confidence in the sport’s ability to police itself while still delivering the excitement that draws crowds to legendary tracks like Langley Speedway and Florence Motors Speedway.
