Birthday Boy Blake Jones Takes Second Victory At Lowe’s Motor Speedway

11-Year-Old Bandolero Racer Gets It Done Two Weeks In A Row On The Road Course

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When a young boy celebrates his 11th birthday, he usually invites a few friends over for some party games, cake and overall fun.  But, in the racing industry, racers of any age cannot take the day off to only celebrate a birthday, as they have work to do on the track. 

Saturday, Blake Jones headed to Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the fifth round of Winter Heat Series racing action, one week after his first Bandolero Bandit win on the road course.  On his 11th birthday, Jones decided to give himself a gift by wheeling his #80 Mountain Dew machine to his second-straight Bandolero road course victory.

“I was just driving the car as hard as I could,” said Jones.  “I wasn’t thinking about it being my birthday when I was on the track, but it is the best birthday present I could have received.”

Jones had pressure from Matt Wallace, son of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, throughout the event.  On the last lap, Jones had to stay on top of his game as Wallace made a charge coming down to the checkered flag, but Jones turned up the wick, taking the win.

“We started on the pole and got a bit of a lead,” said Jones.  “Matt has had a real fast car all day long.   He ran us down at the end, but we held onto it. 

“I pulled up and gave him a little room to race on the last corner.  There was no sense in taking us both out on the last lap.  I just didn’t look in my mirror because I know if I did I would end up overdriving the car.  I drove my own race and put the Mountain Dew car in victory lane.”

After the event, Jones and his family and friends celebrated the win by eating cake and drinking their sponsor’s product.  While Jones had to get it done from behind the wheel, he knew he had help from outside the car putting him in victory lane.

“We couldn’t have done this without my friends and family.  They have been a big help and we are celebrating this win with them.”

Jones will return to the seat this coming weekend for rounds six and seven of the Winter Heat at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as he tries to sweep the four road course events of the series.

For more information on Blake Jones, please contact Jason Buckley at (704) 788-2134 and be sure to stay tuned to a brand new Blake Jones website coming soon.