Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones isn't just enthused about racing this weekend because it's in his home state, but because he seriously thinks the team's progress this season could result in a trophy soon. Perhaps even on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The 30-year-old from Byron, Michigan -- a 70-mile drive from the Michigan track -- has improved on his race finishes in the famous No. 43 Toyota four of the last five races. His best showings in 2026 are a pair of 10th-place finishes, and he's finished 11th or better in three of the last four Michigan contests. Jones' best showing at the track is third, which came during his 2017 rookie season.
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"I think we are in a better spot," Jones said Saturday about his Michigan expectations. "It's funny, I looked at the points position at this point last year, and we aren't a whole lot different, but I think as a group we are running consistently better. We've had a great stretch here for a month of showing up each week and having good cars and running well. A couple of execution things have kept us from a few better finishes, and some strange strategies have kept us from some stage points, especially last week in Nashville.
"I think overall, we are in a better spot. I think there are so many little things that we can do better still, which is frustrating but good. To have performance like we are currently having and know there are little things that we need to work on and improve, there is value in that. For me, yeah, I've been happy with the direction, happy with my team."
MORE: Legacy Motor Club website