Indiana Open Wheel - View Single Post

luckybuc97 · 6/28/13, 3:36 PM

INDIANAPOLIS – Levi Jones, one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the United States Auto Club (USAC), has announced his retirement effective immediately.

Jones, a seven-time USAC national champion who earned six of those titles with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), is ending his driving career and will turn his focus toward his family and working within his family’s business.

“After reevaluating where I am at this point in my life, I’ve made the decision to step away from my career as a professional driver and focus on my family and our business,” Jones said. “Racing has consumed the majority of my life, and while I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to share this with my family, the time has come for my focus to shift to exploring what lies outside of the sport.”

Jones and his family own a handful of Rural King Supply franchises, a chain of farm- and retail-based stores in the Midwest.

“I’ve always been a big supporter of Levi and I fully support him in this decision too,” said Stewart, who captured four USAC national championships early in his career, including the elusive Triple Crown in 1995 when he earned titles in each of USAC’s top divisions – Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown. “Levi helped build TSR into the team it is today by earning four USAC Sprint Car championships and two USAC Silver Crown championships. He was an excellent ambassador for Chevrolet Performance and all of our partners. I have no doubt he’ll be just as successful outside of the race car as he was in it.”

Jones’ sprint-car titles came in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He earned back-to-back Silver Crown championships in 2010 and 2011. All but Jones’ 2005 sprint-car championship came with TSR.

“My decision to end my career wasn’t an easy one, but I’m in a place personally that allows me to do so without being bitter or wondering what might have been,” Jones said. “I’ve had the privilege of winning a lot of big races in my career thanks to the support of great teams filled with a lot of great people.”

Jones is from Olney, Ill., and began racing 410 sprint cars in 1998 when he was 16. Now 31, Jones is married and resides with his wife, Heidi, and their children in Swansea, Ill.

6/28/13, 3:36 PM	#2 Re: Who next???
luckybuc97 Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 16,346	INDIANAPOLIS – Levi Jones, one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the United States Auto Club (USAC), has announced his retirement effective immediately. Jones, a seven-time USAC national champion who earned six of those titles with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), is ending his driving career and will turn his focus toward his family and working within his family’s business. “After reevaluating where I am at this point in my life, I’ve made the decision to step away from my career as a professional driver and focus on my family and our business,” Jones said. “Racing has consumed the majority of my life, and while I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to share this with my family, the time has come for my focus to shift to exploring what lies outside of the sport.” Jones and his family own a handful of Rural King Supply franchises, a chain of farm- and retail-based stores in the Midwest. “I’ve always been a big supporter of Levi and I fully support him in this decision too,” said Stewart, who captured four USAC national championships early in his career, including the elusive Triple Crown in 1995 when he earned titles in each of USAC’s top divisions – Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown. “Levi helped build TSR into the team it is today by earning four USAC Sprint Car championships and two USAC Silver Crown championships. He was an excellent ambassador for Chevrolet Performance and all of our partners. I have no doubt he’ll be just as successful outside of the race car as he was in it.” Jones’ sprint-car titles came in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He earned back-to-back Silver Crown championships in 2010 and 2011. All but Jones’ 2005 sprint-car championship came with TSR. “My decision to end my career wasn’t an easy one, but I’m in a place personally that allows me to do so without being bitter or wondering what might have been,” Jones said. “I’ve had the privilege of winning a lot of big races in my career thanks to the support of great teams filled with a lot of great people.” Jones is from Olney, Ill., and began racing 410 sprint cars in 1998 when he was 16. Now 31, Jones is married and resides with his wife, Heidi, and their children in Swansea, Ill.