Erik Jones team replaces entire transaxle, won't drop to rear due to parts issue

It appears that NASCAR has a parts issue this week at Kansas. Erik Jones is the latest driver to have adjustments made without losing his starting spot. William Byron qualified P9 and kept his spot after the team replaced the control arm on his Chevy Camaro. Jones’ crew had to replace the entire transaxle.

With single-source parts, this is bound to happen once in a while. Thankfully it isn’t an issue that has been going on for the length of the season. Whatever the reason, there is just something not right with the parts the teams have been issued.

Erik Jones will not start in the rear even though his team had to replace an entire transaxle. The 43 team qualified P19 and that is where they will stay.

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports shared the news on Twitter.

NASCAR won’t make Jones drop to the rear because it is a vendor issue. Biggest concern for Legacy team is getting this transaxle change done in time for the race. They should make it to the grid but they are having to hustle to get it done. https://t.co/2xuv5IsJj4

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 10, 2023

This appears to be the latest team and perhaps the final team that is making adjustments in regard to the control arm and transaxle. At the very least, this should make fans feel better about it being a favor to Hendrick. This is clearly a parts failure throughout the field.

Erik Jones had a solid race at Darlington. P10 in the Southern 500 and he’s hoping to earn another top-10 result.

Erik Jones has mixed record at Kansas

Heading into this race, Erik Jones has a mixed bag of results from Kansas. When he was with Joe Gibbs Racing in the 20 car, he had three top-5s and two top10s in six races. Since his move to the 43 car, he has only managed a P21 finish as his best. That came earlier this season during the spring race.

His chances of playing spoiler are not great. That doesn’t mean he can’t have a solid race. We saw speed from the Toyotas and select Chevys. Michael McDowell was the only Ford to make the top-10 in qualifying.

Jones was not among that group. Perhaps Jones isn’t the big story when it comes to Legacy Motor Club, anyway. Carson Hocevar is making his second start in the 42 car and after a P17 finish, the sky is the limit. It sounds strange to say that for a top-20 result. But that was the second-best performance for that car all season.

With the adjustments made, perhaps Erik Jones is going to have a better race car for the Hollywood Casino 400. A top-20 result for either Legacy car would be a welcomed result.