How Kyle Busch Changed Erik Jones' Career & Learning From Jimmie Johnson

How Kyle Busch Changed Erik Jones' Career & Learning From Jimmie Johnson

June 11, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

Erik Jones discusses his recent performance, the influence of Kyle Busch on his career, and insights from Jimmie Johnson as they prepare for upcoming races.

Coming off an incredible, season-best 2nd-place finish at Michigan International Speedway, Erik Jones breaks down how he charged from the rear of the field to the front, helping secure a dominant 1-2-3 finish for Toyota. Erik opens up about what it took to go toe-to-toe with Denny Hamlin in the closing laps at his home track, the competitive gains Legacy Motor Club is making behind the scenes, and what it really takes to build a new manufacturer program from the ground up. Plus, Erik shares an emotional reflection on his early career, detailing exactly how much Kyle Busch changed his life and trajectory forever by taking him under his wing. He also discusses learning from Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson on a week-to-week basis, how grassroots racing shaped his career, and how fatherhood has changed his mindset behind the wheel. Finally, we look ahead to the Tricky Triangle at Pocono and outline the strategy needed to survive the high-stakes countdown to The Chase, NASCAR's new playoff format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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