Conner Jones Bio
Conner Jones (born February 22, 2006) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and has also raced in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, and the zMAX CARS Tour. Jones is known for his early success in late model racing, including a championship at the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model event. He has built a reputation as a determined young competitor progressing through the NASCAR ladder system.
Early Life and Background
Conner Jones was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and raised in a region with a strong short-track racing culture. He began his racing journey at the age of five, sitting behind the wheel of a go-kart. His passion for speed developed quickly, and by 2017 he had captured the Bandolero Bandit Virginia state championship. These early karting and Bandolero experiences gave Jones a foundation in race craft and car control that he would carry into bigger machines.
Jones is the son of Robert Jones, the founder of Jones Utilities Construction Inc., a full-service underground utility and fiber optic construction contractor established in 1997. The family business has sponsored much of his racing career, providing the support he needed to climb the ladder. Growing up around construction and motorsports gave Jones a strong work ethic and the resources to chase his dream of becoming a professional driver.
Path to NASCAR
In 2018, Jones transitioned into Legends car racing and scored his first career victory at Dominion Raceway. The following year, he competed full-time in the INEX Virginia State Young Lions division, winning the championship with six victories, twelve runner-up finishes, and two third-place results. He also made his late model debut in 2019, finishing third in his first start at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Jones moved into the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series in 2020, racing primarily at Hickory Motor Speedway and Dominion Raceway. In 2021, he ran the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour schedule, driving for GMS Racing at Caraway and JR Motorsports in select events. That same year, he made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Iowa Speedway, finishing 21st. His rapid progression through the regional and developmental ranks set the stage for his move into NASCAR national series competition.
Conner Jones Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
Jones built his early resume in grassroots racing, capturing the 2017 Bandolero Bandit Virginia state championship. The following year, he added a Legends car victory at Dominion Raceway. In 2019, he dominated the INEX Virginia State Young Lions series, winning the title with six wins and a deep collection of podium finishes. He also took a strong third-place result in his late model debut at Hickory Motor Speedway.
During the 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, Jones gained valuable experience racing at Hickory Motor Speedway and Dominion Raceway. He finished eleventh in points at Hickory and thirteenth at Dominion, sharpening his skills against seasoned short-track veterans. These years cemented his reputation as a young talent ready for the next step up the motorsports ladder.
ARCA Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Jones signed with GMS Racing in May 2021 to drive in the ARCA Menards Series East at the Nashville Fairgrounds, where he started eighth and finished fourth. He added two joint events with Cook-Finley Racing, finishing 21st at Iowa and tenth at Bristol. He also made his ARCA Menards Series West debut at Phoenix Raceway with Steve McGowan Motorsports.
In 2022, Jones joined Venturini Motorsports for a partial ARCA Menards and ARCA East schedule, posting three top-ten finishes in seven starts. His best result came at Dover in the East Series, where he finished third. The 2023 season saw him record three top-five finishes in the main ARCA Menards Series, capping his developmental years with consistent improvement.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2023-2024)
On February 13, 2023, ThorSport Racing announced that Jones would drive nine races for the team in the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, piloting the No. 66 truck. He earned four top-20 finishes and ended the year 33rd in points. Jones made his Truck Series debut at the 2023 Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville, marking a major milestone in his young career.
Jones returned to ThorSport Racing’s No. 66 in 2024 for a part-time schedule and made thirteen starts. He scored six top-20 finishes and improved to 31st in points, though he did not crack the top ten in any event. The season was also marked by a notable on-track incident at Homestead, where he was suspended for the Martinsville race after intentionally wrecking Matt Mills. By January 13, 2025, it was reported that Jones would not return to ThorSport Racing for the upcoming season.
Niece Motorsports Era (2025)
Following his departure from ThorSport Racing, Jones joined Niece Motorsports to compete part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He has driven the Nos. 41/44 Chevrolet Silverado RST entries for the team. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete in national series competition with a Chevrolet-backed program.
His 2025 results are still developing, and he continues to balance his Truck Series efforts with a full-time ride in the zMAX CARS Tour driving the No. 44 for Carroll Speedshop. Jones is working to refine his short-track race craft and build momentum for future full-time opportunities in the NASCAR ladder.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones has shown a strong feel for short-track racing, with an aggressive style that has produced both podium results and on-track incidents. His background in Bandolero, Legends, and late model cars has given him excellent car control. As he matures, he is expected to refine his patience and race strategy while continuing to lean on his raw speed.
Notable Races and Milestones
Jones celebrated a major victory at the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model event and was crowned the 2024 Battle of the Stars Winner. His Truck Series debut at Martinsville in 2023 was a career highlight, as was his top-five run in the ARCA Menards Series. He has also earned strong results at Hudson Speedway and Dover International Speedway during his late model and ARCA East campaigns.
Conner Jones Career Wins
Conner Jones has not recorded a win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, or ARCA Menards Series West. His verified victories come from the regional and late model ranks, highlighted by the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model championship and the 2024 Battle of the Stars title. He also captured multiple Bandolero and Young Lions championships during his early career.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Highlights
Across his Truck Series career, Jones has made starts with ThorSport Racing and Niece Motorsports. He has notched several top-20 finishes, with a best result of 31st in the 2024 final standings. His debut at Martinsville in 2023 remains a defining moment in his national series journey.
Other Wins and Performances
Jones claimed the INEX Virginia State Young Lions championship in 2019 with six victories. He also won the Bandolero Bandit Virginia state championship in 2017 and added a Legends car victory at Dominion Raceway in 2018. His late model resume includes a CARS Late Model Stock Tour win at Hudson in 2022 and the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model title.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series West | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Conner Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Conner Jones comes from a family with deep roots in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His father, Robert Jones, founded Jones Utilities Construction Inc. in 1997, a company specializing in underground utility and fiber optic construction. The family business has played a key role in sponsoring Conner’s racing career, providing the financial foundation that has allowed him to climb through the ranks of American motorsports.
Personal Life
Jones was raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and continues to be closely tied to his hometown community. Much of his racing program has been supported by his family’s construction business, which serves as a primary sponsor. He remains focused on advancing his professional racing career while balancing commitments across multiple series.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Conner Jones as he steps away from ThorSport Racing and joins Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Driving the Nos. 41/44 Chevrolet Silverado RST on a part-time basis, he is focused on building consistency and gaining experience at the national level. He is also contesting the full zMAX CARS Tour schedule with Carroll Speedshop, which keeps his short-track skills sharp between Truck Series events.
Through the early part of the season, Jones has been working to establish a rhythm with his new team and crew while logging laps at a variety of tracks. His combination of Truck Series starts and a full CARS Tour campaign gives him multiple opportunities to compete for wins and gain valuable seat time. The 2025 campaign is serving as a developmental year aimed at positioning him for future full-time opportunities.
With his aggressive driving style and proven late model résumé, Jones remains a prospect to watch in the NASCAR development pipeline. His progress in 2025 will help determine his next steps, whether that means expanding his Truck Series schedule or moving up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the near future.
