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Matt Mills Explains Why He Has Not Responded To Conner Jones After Being Wrecked At Homestead

November 1, 2024  ·
  John Trent

Matt Mills is back in his truck at Martinsville this weekend and recently shared why he has not responded to Conner Jones after Jones wrecked him at Homestead last weekend.

Matt Mills via NASCAR on X

Jones wrecked Mills on lap 76 of the 134 lap Baptist Health 200 while racing for 19th place. He bumped Mills in the corner and Mills was unable to hang on and crashed hard into the wall. His truck then erupted into flames.

Following the wreck, NASCAR parked Jones for two laps for intentionally wrecking Mills.

Mills was transported to Jackson South Medical Center where his oxygen levels were monitored due to smoke inhalation. He stayed at the hospital until Monday when he was released and traveled back to his home in North Carolina.

Now, at Martinsville he shared his point of view about what happened and why he has not responded to Jones who has attempted to call and text him.

Mills told Bob Pockrass, “I sent it off down into turn three as hard as I could and he sent it off even harder and seemed pretty committed to getting to me. That’s why I felt like I overcorrected so easily because that’s fastest I entered that corner all day. And if you know Homestead once you get off the bottom lane there is no grip right there. So just took off.”

“I didn’t feel what I did was that harsh to where-. I don’t know if something led up to that. I’ve never had any problems that I know of with him. I’ve never spoke to the kid. Never had any incidents with him before leading up to this,” he added.

When asked if he talked to Jones, Mills said, “He has reached out through text and trying to call me. It’s been such a hectic week just physically and mentally it was exhausting just being in the hospital. It might sound dramatic. But just getting back to reality and feeling normal again that was a lot to process itself. It’s been a hectic week just getting my safety gear replaced. A lot of that had to get replaced.”

He has reached out, but it’s recent and how hectic the week in just all scenarios I don’t feel like I could have a healthy conversation with him so I was gonna just maybe talk to him soon, but this week I was focused on getting back to the racetrack and listening to all my doctors and everyone so. When I feel like I can have a healthy conversation about it maybe I’ll reach back out, but I’m looking to move on [from] it.”

 

Along with Jones being parked by NASCAR during the race, he was suspended for the upcoming race at Martinsville. On Wednesday, October 30th, NASCAR announced Jones would receive a one-race suspension. The  NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series posted on X, “Conner Jones has been suspended one race for a violation of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

In a blog post on NASCAR.com, it shared that Jones violated Sections 4.3.A: 4.4.B: NASCAR Member Code of Conduct in the rule book.

Jones did issue a public apology last weekend following the conclusion of the race at Homestead. He wrote on social media, “I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so. Matt and I have encountered several on-track incidents this season, and I let my frustration get the best of me. I underestimated the impact of my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed.”

He added, “I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior. My thoughts are with Matt, during this time after hearing that he has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation following the contact on the racetrack.”

What do you make of Mills’ reasoning for not responding to Jones?

NEXT: NASCAR Suspends Conner Jones For Martinsville Race After Wrecking Matt Mills At Homestead

Author: John Trent