Legacy Motor Club releases statement after Erik Jones Martinsville disqualification

Legacy Motor Club confirms whether it will appeal Erik Jones' disqualification from Martinsville.

Legacy Motor Club has released a statement following Erik Jones' disqualification from the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville. The team, owned by NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, has confirmed that it will not be appealing the decision.

The No.34, driven by Jones, was disqualified after the post-race inspection found that it had failed to meet minimum weight requirements. The team has stated:

“Legacy Motor Club will not appeal the disqualification of the No. 43 car following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.

“We understand NASCAR allows a clear margin to account for the difference in pre- and post-race weight. After a thorough audit by the Club today, we have concluded that we did not give ourselves enough margin to meet the post-race requirement. Although it was not intentional, we are taking steps internally to prevent this from happening again. We therefore accept the penalty and apologize to NASCAR, our partners and our fans."

As a result of the disqualification, Jones lost his 24th-place finish and six stage points from a fifth-place finish in Stage 1. He's therefore moved from 21st to 29th in the drivers' standings.

Denny Hamlin secured the win at the Martinsville Speedway followed by Christopher Bell in second and Bubba Wallace in third. Commenting on ending his 31-race winless streak, Hamlin explained to the media:

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images

“It was just aggravating to be the next best at this track for the last five years. Just never having ‘it.’ The ‘it’ is the ability to control a race, run as fast as you need to to lead the race, and pull away when you want.

“Today we had ‘it.’ That’s what feels good. … Sure, when you run in the top five, you will have some wins fall your way. I want to dominate. I’ll take any win I can get, but I want days like this where I’m in complete control.”

He added:

“I probably am the king of irrational confidence,” Hamlin said. “I mean, generally speaking, I know that when I got the car to do it, I can be the best. I haven’t felt like I’ve held back the car at any point. Certainly, I’m not immune to understanding that Father Time is undefeated.”