NASCAR BGN Sears Auto Center 250 -- #00, Buckshot Jones
1 July 1997
BUCKSHOT JONES LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MILWAUKEE MILESTONE MILWAUKEE, WI - It has been a year since Buckshot Jones crossed the finish line at The Milwaukee Mile in first place. A day that will go down in the history books of the #00 Aquafresh Racing team because it was where they made their NASCAR Busch Series debut only one year earlier. Buckshot Jones, winner of the 1996 "Sears Auto Center 250," prepares to return and make it two wins in a row. "I have won races in other divisions, but they don't compare to the win at Milwaukee," said Jones. "This track has always been special to us. To win a Busch race feels great, but to win at the track where you made your debut makes it that much better." Jones vividly remembers everything about that day. He recalls wanting that win more than anything, and he had his mind set on finishing first, not second. "I remember going down the backstretch and thinking to myself that I was not going home second. I knew we could win the race, but I didn't want to make any mistakes," said Jones. "Mike McLaughlin caught me on the last turn and he almost beat me. I never saw the checkered flag. I thought we still had one lap to go because we didn't have time to clean the windshield on the last pit stop, so I didn't even know I had won until the team told me." That was an important day for the #00 Aquafesh Racing team for more than one reason. It was not only the track where Jones drove his first NASCAR Busch race and then returned to have his first win in the series, but it also marked a moment for the team when they could look at themselves and know that they belonged together. "We had been together as a team for a year, so it was great to know that we had really connected," said Jones. "Ricky Pearson had joined the team as crew chief at the end of the 1995 season and it made all the difference in the world. I think we proved to everyone, including ourselves, that we were a winning team." The last two years have been exciting and notable in Jones' career. Although he admits to working hard to get where he is, he never forgets to mention those that have supported him in his career. "My dad is my biggest supporter. He was thrilled for me and the entire team," said Jones. "Following the race he called from his cellular phone and wanted to congratulate every member of the team. "When we flew into South Carolina that evening we had an unexpected victory party waiting for us. It was a really nice feeling to see all of the important people in my life as soon as I got off the plane. They all had to get up early for work the next morning, but they took the time to drive from Georgia to South Carolina to congratulate us." For Jones, returning to Milwaukee this year will be exciting and a lot of fun. "I enjoy competing in Milwaukee. It's a big track, but not a hard track to drive," said Jones. "There's a lot of racing room, so everyone I have talked to enjoys driving here. "This year should be a lot of fun for all of us. I am throwing out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game the night before the race, so we will all be able to relax and have a little fun before the big day," said Jones. "My team and I definitely have a feeling of pride coming back here. This was the first track we challenged as a team and it was the first track we returned to and conquered." By Events & Outings