Erik Jones looks to build off first XFINITY top-five

Jones earned a top-five finish at the 1-mile oval, filling in for the injured Kyle Busch in the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota. The result was even more welcome as it came a week after late contact from Ryan Blaney derailed his chances for a win and a top-five at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"It's nice to finally get the finishes I thought we deserved," Jones said. "We struggled with getting caught up in people's messes early on."

Jones qualified third for the race and spent much of the opening half of the race in the top five. Other teams' strategy plays saw Jones cycle back to ninth on Lap 120 before he made a charge of his own to get back into the top five by Lap 150. From there, he had to hold off points leader Ty Dillon for the final spot in the top five.

"The Monster Energy Camry was fast -- just got behind on adjustments all day. We were tight early and freed it up and just got too free. On the last stop, we wanted to go back and make sure it was going to be snug enough because on those restarts you have to try to get so much and when you're free you just can't make anything happen."

Fast pit road times did benefit Jones. He spent the second-lowest amount of time on pit road (2:00:001 for an average of 40.000 seconds during his three stops).

The young driver is no stranger to success at Phoenix. He now has two finishes of fifth and sixth in the XFINITY Series as well as two wins in the Camping World Truck Series at the track.

"It always helps when you have experience at a place, especially confidence with a race win. I definitely think it helped me out a little bit."

The 18-year-old is running full-time in the Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports, while running a part-time slate in the XFINITY Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.

In the XFINITY Series, Jones is bouncing between the Nos. 20 and 54 Toyota, due to Busch's recovery from a compound fracture to his right lower leg and a mid-foot fracture of his left foot suffered in a late-race accident in the XFINITY opener at Daytona. Busch's injury led to Jones picking up a few more XFINITY starts until his mentor returns.

"We've been fortunate enough to run every race. So far, it's been fairly easy. The only roadblock, I guess you'd say, would be switching between the 54 and the 20, which really hasn't been too big of a deal. Two great race teams. When you go back and forth, it definitely makes it easier when your cars are fast."

Jones will be back behind the wheel of the No. 20 XFINITY Series Toyota on March 21 at Auto Club Speedway for the Drive4Clots.com 300 (4 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1). His next turn in the No. 54 will come at Richmond International Raceway in April.

"It's nice to finally get a finish after having a couple rough weeks and then come back and hopefully gives us some momentum going into Fontana next weekend."

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