Erik Jones not returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021

Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs

Erik Jones, driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry, will not be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021. In 2019, he signed a one-year contract extension with the team to compete during the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity that JGR provided me with over the last four years and I wish the team nothing but success and good fortune,” Jones said. “JGR gave me a solid foundation from which to go out and compete at the highest level and I look forward to building on that in the years to come.”

While competing in NASCAR’s premier series, over the last five years, the 2015 Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion has captured 29 top-fives, 57 top-10s, two poles and two wins. His first victory was at Daytona International Speedway in 2018 and the second at Darlington Raceway in 2019.

Team owner Joe Gibbs said, “we appreciate all Erik has done for Joe Gibbs Racing over the past several years. He joined us as a teenager and has accomplished so much in his time here and we remain focused on the remainder of this season and earning him a spot in the playoffs.”

Jones has five top-fives, eight top-10s and two DNFs in 20 starts this season. He is currently sitting 18th in the points standings, with six races remaining in the series regular season.

Ed Laukes, Group Vice President of Marketing for Toyota Motor North America, expressed his appreciation for getting to know Erik over the past eight years. “We’ve become close not only to Erik, but to his entire family. We’ve celebrated together, we’ve cried together and we’ve supported each other through it all.”

“Unfortunately, the time has come that we have to part ways from a competitive standpoint. We know Erik will continue to do great things in this sport and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. We will certainly continue to follow his career and will be there to congratulate him as he continues to succeed.”