NCWTS: Erik Jones to run full Truck schedule in 2015 for KBM, partial XFINITY schedule for JGR

Kyle Busch Motorsports announced on Thursday, Nov 6th that Erik Jones will run the full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule in 2015 their team.

“To have a chance to run full-time in the Camping World Truck Series in the first year that I’m eligible to do so is huge and there is no better opportunity in the series than to drive Toyota Tundras for Kyle Busch Motorsports,” Jones said. “Rudy (Fugle) and I have developed a great relationship the last few years and we’re going to have a quality team with a lot of familiar faces around us. I’m confident that I’ll be able to take what I’ve learned running a part-time schedule the last two seasons and be able to go out and challenge for wins week in and week out and be a contender for the championship next season.”

Jones has ran a part-time Truck schedule the past two years for KBM, scoring three wins, a pole, six top-fives and 12 top-10s with an average finish of 8.7 across the 16 starts. Jones picked up his first career victory last year at Phoenix International Speedway at the age of 17 years, five months and nine days old, before winning both Iowa and Las Vegas this year.

KBM added that Ryan “Rudy” Fugle will crew chief for Jones. Fugle led KBM’s No. 51 effort in 2013, scoring a series-leading six wins, including Jones’ win at Phoenix, and the owner’s championship.

It was also announced that Jones will also run a part-time schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Jones made his Nationwide Series debut at Chicagoland Speedway this year, finishing seventh.

“I feel like my success at KBM the last two seasons has opened the door to this opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing in the XFINITY Series and I’m grateful for what everyone at Toyota, KBM and JGR has done to help make this possible,” Jones said. “JGR has collected 100 wins in the series and I’m ready to take what I’ve learned in just a handful of races this year and be able to go out next year and help them bring home more victories. When you add the experience I will gain in the XFINITY Series to the 23-race Truck Series schedule, I’ll be gaining valuable seat time in the best equipment as I continue to climb the ladder in NASCAR and I couldn’t be more thankful to be where I am so early in my career.”

The specifics as to Jones’ truck number, truck sponsor, XFINITY races, XFINITY crew chief, XFINITY car number and XFINITY sponsors will be released at a late date.