Countdown to Daytona 2026 - 24 Days

By Adam Carabine

Counting down the final 30 days to the 2026 Daytona 500, we are looking at last year's Top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Today's driver: Erik Jones

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

No. 43 Car – Legacy Motor Club

2025 Stats

Standings	24th
Wins	0
Points	665
Stage Points	48
Stage Wins	0
Laps Led	11
Lead Lap Finishes	22
Average Finish	20.2
DNFs	3
Races since last win	115

What Does Success Look Like in 2026?

As has been stated in many other of these articles, the elimination of the win-and-you’re-in rules format will change many drivers’ playoff chances in 2026 – Erik Jones included.  The occasional win isn’t out of Jones’ ability level, but earning a spot in the playoffs (The Chase, sorry) is probably too hard now that points are the only factor.  A successful year would be a continued growing of the Legacy Motor Club program, and perhaps sneaking a win for Jones.

Best-Case Scenario in 2026?

Both Darlington and Texas are tracks that have served Jones well over his Cup Series career.  He doesn’t have a win yet at Texas, but he has two at Darlington.  With Darlington on the schedule twice, he has three chances at his best tracks to earn a win.  It’s tempting to say the best-case scenario is him winning all three, but I think we still need to be realistic, so I’ll say that the best-case scenario is a Southern 500 win.

Most Likely Outcome in 2026?

It’s most likely that Jones will go winless again in 2026, but that doesn’t have to necessarily mean a failure for the driver of the 43.  LMC has taken some steps forward, and I think it’s likely that they continue that progress, albeit with no wins in ’26.

Bold Prediction?

Jones wins both the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500, and still misses The Chase.