SONOMA, Calif.: Fresh off an impressive top-10 finish together at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in Rette Jones Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, Noah Gragson will look to deliver the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization their first career ARCA Menards Series West victory in Friday afternoons’ General Tire 200.
Not initially confirmed on their schedule, the team is headed to “Wine Country” looking to build on the team’s chemistry and utilize the ARCA Menards Series West race as an opportunity to give Gragson additional track time ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series at the newly repaved road course.
Gragson, a native of Las Vegas, Nev., is no stranger to success at the 1.990-mile road course. In 2019, he started second but inherited the lead for 24 laps that eventually sailed him to his fifth career ARCA West victory in an entry fielded by Jefferson-Pitts Racing.
Set for his 29th career start in ARCA West, a regional racing division owned by NASCAR, Gragson is encouraged about his outlook ahead of his first series start in five years.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity with Rette Jones Racing at Sonoma this weekend,” offered Gragson. “I am thankful to Mark (Rette), Terry (Jones), Kasey (Jones) and everyone who has worked hard to make this race happen.
“From a team perspective, we are carrying the momentum from Charlotte to Sonoma and I believe we can contend for a win and keep this team in the spotlight ahead of our other upcoming races.”
With the repave, Gragson expects the Northern California race track to be incredibly fast.
“The lap times will be faster this weekend,” added Gragson. “Adapting to the track conditions will be important, and staying ahead of the handling will be a crucial factor towards winning the race.
“I know Mark (Rette, crew chief) has a good balance on where he thinks we should be. Hopefully, we’ll be in the ballpark. I’m not particularly worried. I know how hard this team works, and we’ll have an opportunity to adjust during the race. I’m just ready to get there and climb aboard our No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang.”
Rette, the 2009 ARCA Menards Series champion crew chief, concurs with his driver and is ready for 64 laps of competition.
“The team has put a lot of time and emphasis into this road course car,” explained Rette. “Even with the repave, Noah knows the track’s layout, and that should play to our advantage.
“We’re going to Sonoma with one goal to win. We will do everything in our power to bring home the checkered flag. If we can’t, we’ll regroup and plan for our upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race with Noah at Nashville Superspeedway at the end of the month.”
In addition to Gragson’s schedule with RJR, the organization will continue to field a full-time ASA STARS National Tour effort for Canadian Kyle Steckly and compete in select ARCA Menards Series races through October 2024.
For more on Noah Gragson, like him on Facebook (Noah Gragson Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@noahgragson), TikTok and X | Twitter (@NoahGragson).
For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).
The General Tire 200 (64 laps | 127.36 miles) is the fourth of 12 ARCA Menards Series West races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., June 7, 2024, from 10:40 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 12:10 p.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day at 3:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. ET) with live coverage on Flo Racing. All times are local (PT).
About Rette Jones Racing:
Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.
Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plans to field a full-time entry in the ASA STARS National Tour Series in 2024 and vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series platform and NASCAR, respectively.
Rette Jones Racing also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.