How Kyle Busch Changed Erik Jones' Career & Learning From Jimmie Johnson
About this episode
Kyle Busch’s influence on Erik Jones is traced from a Snowball Derby turning point to early truck opportunities and relationships that helped open doors toward Cup. The conversation then zooms in on race execution: a flat-tire repair decision at Michigan, stage-two momentum, and how tire strategy and long-run strength can move a team through the field. Harvick also reflects on learning from Jimmie Johnson’s week-to-week approach and the business side of building sustainable programs, while looking ahead to Pocono and Darlington.
stage points
"So Michigan was the first one. I felt like we just put the whole day together and, you know, got some stage points at stage two and ran up front and had an opportunity, had things, you know, played out a little better to win the race."
NASCAR races are broken into parts called stages. You earn points for how you do in each part, not just for the final finish.
In NASCAR, races are split into segments called stages. “Stage points” are points earned based on where you finish within each stage, and they can affect playoff standings even if you don’t win the race.
qualifying
"Yeah, we obviously didn't want to start back there and we had a good qualifying effort up there in 10th. And so we had to make a decision and it was really sort of last minute."
Qualifying is when drivers try to earn a good starting spot for the race. A better qualifying position usually makes it easier to run up front.
Qualifying is the session where teams try to set the fastest lap (or best position) to determine their starting spot for the race. In NASCAR, starting position matters because it influences track position and how hard it is to pass.
flat tire
"We talked about it all the way until race day morning and making the choice to repair some damage from practice from the flat tire and then go to the back."
A flat tire means the tire is losing air. In a race, that can hurt traction and force the team to repair the car before continuing.
A “flat tire” means the tire has lost air pressure, which can make the car unsafe or severely reduce grip. In racing, even a brief tire issue can cause damage and force teams to adjust strategy, including repairs and starting position.
start back
"We talked about it all the way until race day morning and making the choice to repair some damage from practice from the flat tire and then go to the back. And I think super glad we did."
“Start back” means you begin the race near the rear instead of near the front. That usually makes it tougher to get clean track and pass cars.
“Start back” refers to beginning the race from a lower grid position (near the rear). In NASCAR, starting farther back increases traffic and makes passing harder, so teams often rely on race pace and strategy to work forward.
learning from a tough race weekend (starting at the back)
"How do you feel like performances like Sunday though are defining moments for the team when you face those difficulties and you're still able to overcome them and have a really solid finish like that? ... I think the momentum is the big thing."
They talk about how the team deals with a bad situation during the weekend and still finishes strong. The takeaway is how that experience builds confidence for future races.
This segment focuses on how the team handles adversity—specifically the decision to repair damage and start from the rear—and still produce a strong result. It’s framed as a confidence-building “defining moment” for the group.
road courses
"And then we go into these two road courses and hopefully, you know, just show improvement. Road courses have been a big struggle for us as a group and we've been working really, really hard to get them better."
Road courses are tracks with lots of turns and braking, not just left turns on an oval. Cars and drivers usually need different setups and skills to handle the corners and slow-downs.
“Road courses” are tracks with a mix of turns, braking zones, and varying corner types, unlike oval-only tracks. NASCAR road-course setups and driving techniques often require more emphasis on braking stability and traction through complex corners.
Michigan
"With Michigan specifically, you're very good in the long run. At what point in the race did you start to realize, okay, we got something good here beneath me right now?"
Michigan International Speedway is a NASCAR oval track. It’s the kind of place where how your tires and car feel over a long stretch can decide whether you’re fighting for the win.
“Michigan” refers to Michigan International Speedway, a NASCAR oval where long-run tire and balance management can be decisive. The host’s comments about improving over the long run and when the car felt strong align with how Michigan often rewards consistent setup.
four tires
"But I think stage two when we started driving through the field there on that long run when we had four tires and some of those guys had taken two."
During a pit stop, NASCAR teams can change all four tires or just some. Changing all four usually gives the car better grip and handling for the next stretch of the race.
In NASCAR pit strategy, teams can choose to change all four tires or only some. Taking “four tires” typically improves grip and balance more than a partial change, which can be crucial on long runs.
stage two
"But I think stage two when we started driving through the field there on that long run when we had four tires and some of those guys had taken two."
“Stage two” is the second part of a NASCAR race. It’s a key time because drivers and teams try to improve their position and car feel before the final stretch.
“Stage two” is the second NASCAR race segment. It often matters because it’s where teams can capitalize on tire and setup changes, and drivers can gain position through the field to set up a strong run toward the finish.
stage one
"Yeah, I think it was, you know, in, I mean, in the stage one, we got up there at like 14th or 13th. And I felt pretty good about that. But I think stage two when we started driving through the field..."
NASCAR races are broken into chunks called stages. “Stage one” is the first chunk, and drivers earn points and teams make strategy decisions based on how they’re doing.
In NASCAR, races are split into segments called stages. “Stage one” is the first segment, where drivers can earn stage points and teams may adjust strategy based on how the car is performing early.
Berlin
"And the racing continues because as you mentioned, super late model race there in Berlin. What's that race mean to you and having the opportunity to do that?"
Berlin Raceway is a track where late model stock cars race. The driver says racing there helps him stay sharp and improve his racecraft for the higher-level Cup races.
“Berlin” refers to Berlin Raceway, a venue known for late model racing. The speaker uses it as an example of how racing in late models can sharpen skills that carry over to NASCAR’s Cup Series.
super late model
"And the racing continues because as you mentioned, super late model race there in Berlin."
“Super late model” is a type of race car used on short tracks. It’s a tough, competitive class, and racing it can help a driver get better at reading races and managing car behavior.
“Super late model” is a class of high-performance late model stock cars used in short-track racing. It’s typically more specialized and competitive than entry-level late models, making it a strong training ground for racecraft.
translate in other ways to the cup side
"What's that race mean to you and having the opportunity to do that? And how does that help you translate in other ways to the cup side?"
“Cup side” means NASCAR’s top series. The driver is saying that racing in other types of stock cars helps him learn skills that make him better when he goes back to the Cup races.
The “Cup side” refers to NASCAR’s top-level Cup Series. The speaker is describing how experience in other stock-car categories (like late models) can improve “racecraft” and help a driver be sharper when returning to Cup competition.
Xfinity series
"I think the most challenging was the Xfinity series when I went full time in 16. He ran seemed like every race and he was always out there and super fast and hard to beat."
The Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s “next step down” from the main Cup series. It’s a major league where drivers learn and compete hard, and many future Cup stars come through it.
The Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s second-tier national stock-car championship, sitting below the Cup Series. Drivers often use it to develop racecraft and prove they can win before moving up to the top level.
Pocono
"Pocono, I noticed in the cup car over there at the tricky triangle. What's the expectations going to that place because it is so unique and trying to get your car right in all three places."
Pocono Raceway is a NASCAR track with a weird, distinctive shape compared to most ovals. Because of that, teams have to set up the car and choose lines carefully to handle the different corners.
Pocono refers to Pocono Raceway, a NASCAR track known for its distinctive, high-speed layout and three-turn “triangle” feel. Its unusual geometry makes setup and driving line choices especially important because the car has to work well in multiple corners that don’t behave like a typical oval.
cup car
"Pocono, I noticed in the cup car over there at the tricky triangle. What's the expectations going to that place because it is so unique and trying to get your car right in all three places."
A “cup car” is the race car used in NASCAR’s top series, the Cup Series. It’s the main level of competition compared with lower series like Xfinity.
A “cup car” refers to the NASCAR Cup Series race car, which is the top-level series in NASCAR. It’s typically built and prepared to the Cup Series rules and is the car teams use when competing at the highest national level.
turn three
"And in some ways, I think, you know, everybody's kind of found the biggest or the most important corner is is turn three and how you can get through there."
“Turn three” just means a particular corner on the track. If you’re strong through that corner, it can help your whole lap and make the car easier to drive the rest of the way around.
In NASCAR road-course/oval discussions, “turn three” is shorthand for a specific corner that can heavily influence lap time and tire wear. At Pocono specifically, drivers often focus on the most critical corner because getting through it well can make the rest of the lap easier.
short pitch stage
"There's opportunities to short pitch stage and try to go for a better finish. So, you know, we'll have to make a quick assessment early on."
“Short pitch stage” describes a strategy where a team plans to pit earlier than the maximum run to position the car for better performance in the stage finish. It’s a tradeoff: you may sacrifice some track position or tire/fuel efficiency to gain speed when it matters most for stage results.
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