Bubby Jones

Norman Jones (June 4, 1941 – January 18, 2020), known as Bubby Jones, was a driver in the USAC Sprint Car series, with 22 victories, and a member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, inducted in 1998. He also raced in the USAC Championship Car series, in the 1977–1978 seasons, with 2 career starts, including the 1977 Indianapolis 500. He failed in qualifying attempts at Indy in 1978 and 1981.{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2020/01/19/vale-norman-bubby-jones/|title=Vale: Norman "Bubby" Jones|date=January 20, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://vintagemotorsport.com/2020/01/21/remembering-norman-bubby-jones-1941-2020/|title=Remembering Norman "Bubby" Jones 1941-2020|date=January 21, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2020/01/20/race-car-driver-bubby-jones-dies/|title=Race Car Driver 'Bubby' Jones Dies|first=Bill|last=Pickett}}

In 1980 "Ol' Bub" headed west to run in the prestigious California Racing Association (C.R.A.) Sprint Car Series as a regular, driving the Gas Chem Products Entry. After finishing 2nd in the C.R.A. Point Standings three years in a row (1980–82) behind Dean Thompson, Jones persuaded car owner Dan Kazarian to change from the Stanton Chassis they had been running, and to let Jones build them a new car himself. The result was Jones winning two consecutive C.R.A. Point Series Championships (1983–84). In 1984, Jones won the coveted Pacific Coast National Open at Ascot, holding off a fast closing Steve Kinser despite blistering the right rear tire with 10 laps to go. Bubby died Saturday night, January 18, 2020, at the age of 78.