Even though the change to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship format has eliminated the win-and-in Playoff strategy, Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones insists the emphasis on points racing doesn’t change the way he goes about competing. Particularly at places such as Talladega Superspeedway.
Jones, who scored his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at a drafting track, the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway in 2018, enters Sunday’s race 24th in the championship points standings – 63 points behind 16th place Daniel Suarez in the final points position that would advance to the Playoffs.
“We approach all these races pretty aggressive in the last handful years because this has been our only great shot to try to win our way in the playoffs,’’ said Jones, driver of the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. “So, I think if anything, it makes it more aggressive because the stage points are probably more important than ever. The finishes are great, but if you can go and earn top-three stage points in both stages, and even if you get wrecked out at the end, you’re still going to have a decent day, so I think that’s our focus.
“The stage lengths are probably a bigger change than anything, that first stage is a bit confusing, length on some strategies and things that guys can do. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out, but I think as far as the aggression side, I think will be just as high as ever for stage points.”
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