NASCAR announced it suspended Conner Jones for the upcoming race at Martinsville Speedway for wrecking Matt Mills during the race 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.
Conner Jones was PARKED TWO LAPS for intentionally wrecking Matt Mills.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/aiYPROO5d3
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 26, 2024
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.
He shared an update on his way back to North Carolina to social media, “Glad to be out of the hospital. Still a little raspy as you can hear. Just all the overwhelming support and text messages that I’ve got mean so much to me. Definitely didn’t like being in the hospital as long as I was or being in that situation. Having you guys there to support me and get through that just can’t thank y’all enough.”
“I can’t wait to be back to the racetrack, Martinsville this weekend, and continue doing what I love. It was definitely a scary situation I’ve had, but it’s just part of the sport. Thanks to NASCAR medical team and everyone at the hospital and everyone at Niece Motorsports and J.F. Electric for continuing to support me and get through this tough deal. It means a lot. I’m more motivated than ever to keep doing my job. And we got two more races to try and get a good finish and get some momentum for that ’25 year. I’m ready to get home, get cleaned up, and just continue the recovery process, and see y’all in Martinsville.”
Glad to be heading home. Appreciate everyone that reached out over the last couple of days. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lN7Ph8y2fy
— Matt Mills (@mattmillsracing) October 28, 2024
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.
NEWS: Conner Jones has been suspended one race for a violation of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct at @HomesteadMiami.
Additionally, the No. 38 team has been issued an L1-level penalty for a ballast violation. The crew chief has been suspended for one race, and the team has…
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 30, 2024
Jones has not publicly responded to the penalty, but he previously issued an apology to his social media accounts.
He wrote, “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.”
— Conner Jones (@connerjones88) October 26, 2024
What do you make of NASCAR suspending Conner Jones for a single race?
NEXT: Conner Jones Issues Apology After Wrecking Matt Mills At Homestead During NASCAR Truck Series Race