CONCORD, N.C. — Legacy Motor Club made crew chief changes ahead of the race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This set up a pivotal five-race stretch for Erik Jones and crew chief Ben Beshore as the organization tries to close out the difficult season on a high note.
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"Obviously, we haven't performed where we wanted to," Jones said about the No. 43 team Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "At the end of the day, you've got to do something different."
Jones had been partnered with Dave Elenz since the 2022 Cup Series season. They celebrated a crown jewel win together but also dealt with struggles after moving to Toyota. As Jones explained, the team just hasn't had speed while struggling through a down year.
Jones only has two top-10 finishes and one top-five this season. His average finish is 22.7. For comparison, he ended last season with an average finish of 20.4, one top-five finish, and seven top-10s. His numbers were even better in 2022 as he won a race and posted three top-five finishes and 13 top-10s.
"Some years, man, you just can't do anything right," Jones said about his current campaign. "And, I mean, it's been one of those seasons — probably by far — one of the most trying I've had in most of my racing career. For sure, in the Cup Series."
Elenz departed Legacy Motor Club as part of the crew chief changes, so the veteran driver will now move forward with Ben Beshore — someone who has extensive experience in the Toyota system — calling the shots.
Will this lead to improved performance for the No. 43 team? Jones doesn't yet have that answer. He is still learning how to work with Beshore after multiple seasons with Elenz.
Many drivers have explained that switching crew chiefs in the middle of the season is not simply plug and play. These individuals have to learn each other and how to best approach the race weekend together. What worked for Elenz and Jones may not work during this final stretch of the season.
That doesn't mean that Jones doesn't have some expectations for his group as they go through this trial period and determine if Beshore will remain the crew chief of the No. 43 team in 2025.
"Just some consistency," Jones said. "And whether that means top 20, top 15 right now, I mean, that's good days for us. You know, stay on the lead lap.
"So if we can finish out the next five somewhere in that area, I think that's a step forward, and then continuing to gain through the offseason. But, right now, I think it's realistic goals. Yeah, you want to win, but right now, I think top 20s are pretty happy days for us."
