Erik Jones

[pb1945]

Say what you will I think Erik Jomes is a improvement over Bubba. Don't know how but if RPM can get him just a little better equipent a win could be down the road. After all the hoopla Bubba just had too much baggage. I think he had a little too much mouth he couldn't back up. I will give him credit though he took some equipment that wasn't all that great and gave it a ride. Almirola prospered at first too with some better equipment but when you really start to run up front for real you better have your big boy pants on nobody is going to gve you a break. Some of that prosperity wained when he started to crack the top 10 now you are running with the winning competition. He got nudged out several times before he started to fight boack. Racining is a TOUGH BUSINESS.

[jessn16]

It's all going to come down to how much money they have to run with. I think Bubba, on a fully-funded team, can be somewhat competitive. I do think Jones is a better driver and I believe most analysts share that opinion. I can't understand why he has had such a tough time attracting sponsorship money while some lesser-talented drivers have no problems doing it.

If RPM can find the money, Jones can win. I was really excited about Bubba when he joined but we all knew he was going to take a few years to develop -- and even then, it was sort of a crapshoot as to how good he would be. Erik is already well beyond the developmental stage. But if we send him out there in Front Row Motorsports-type equipment, we're going to keep getting FRM-type results.

[pb1945]

I agree with you Jessen now he hunt starts for 15 or 20 mllion or more. I believe Jones can win with better equipment. I too wonder why he had a tough time on sponsorship. Big money does funny things. Seems like we get over the hump a little bit then bam back down trying to stay on the lead lap. It just crushes me on 1 1/2 mile tracks when the 43 qualifies mediocre then is a lap down on the first fuel run.
I don't blame the King though for not going crazy and spending a bunch of personal money you can spend a ton real quick and all you get for it is a trophy maybe.

But dang it seems like Richard could put together a couple good cars now and then. Of course that's a painful fan talking.

Dan

[emtsmith]

I think Eric brings needed change to the 43. As far as sponsors I think they have enough to be competitive but could always use more.