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 Time travel: Local racer Bumper Jones grows during tour
June 3, 2009
LAS CRUCES — Bumper Jones has been racing for 15 years.
Just recently, he took his ability to the next level. .
Jones, a local modified racecar driver, has always competed in the region, fighting it out throughout New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. This past year, he was looking for a new challenge. .
"It's nothing at all against this area, believe me when I tell you, it's tough enough as it is to win here," Jones said. "I just wanted to see how I could do against other drivers, in different environments and on different tracks. It was a growing experience." .
Last spring, Jones traveled to the Southeast, racing in the U.S. Modified Touring Series, featured in Louisiana, Mississippi and East Texas, squaring off against professional drivers from around the country.
There were a handful of highlights for Jones during the tour. He qualified for six of the eight races he competed in, including all three at the season-ending show in Baytown, Texas in December. Jones had two top-five finishes and five top-10's total. .
It is a solid accomplishment when considering the conditions. While driving a racecar has its challenges no matter the circumstances, doing it away from home, in unfamiliar territory and against unknown competition provides a different set of hurdles. Being successful in such a setting is nothing short of a confidence booster.
"Oh, definitely," Jones said about feeling like a new driver following the tour. "It's just more experience, which helps any
driver. .
"On the flip side, it has put more pressure on me. I come (to the Southern New Mexico Speedway) and people just expect me to win. And when I don't win, people are like, "what's wrong with you?' If only it were that easy." .
It was a good learning experience for the 35-year-old Jones in his return to the Speedway in early March this year, as he flipped his car during a race.
Other than that, he's had success in the region in 2009. His crowning achievement was winning the USA Memorial Day Challenge in Tucson, pocketing a $2,000 purse. .He's also won separate races in El Paso and Albuquerque.
Other big wins for Jones during his career include the 2003 Billy The Kid Shootout ($3,000 purse), 2004 Sooner Mod Roundup ($6,000), 2004 2nd Fall Nationals SNMS ($4,000), 2004 BHD Sands Chevrolet Championship ($6,000), 2004 Track Championship at Hollywood Hills Speedway, 2005 BHD National Championship, 2007 BHD Touring Series Champion and the 2008 Sun City Classic ($5,000).
"He's definitely one of the toughest guys to beat around here," fellow Speedway racer Johnny Scott said. "I know I enjoy going against him. He's always fast."
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