“At the beginning of the season I was simply happy to have a win at the opener,” said Chris Jones, the builder/tuner of the Jones Performance Cycles Kawsaski ZX14 ridden by John Fernandez. “But after a win in Atlanta the whole program shifted towards a championship. We knew going into Atco that we were probably good enough in points to win the championship.” Indeed, the team had won every race by that point. After Valdosta and Atlanta came Memphis, Michigan, and Indianapolis. “And the our focus went towards laying down a number,” said Jones.
The team arrived at the AMA Dragbike Finals in Valdosta determined to finish the year off looking like the championship team they are. “We experimented at the last couple of races trying to get into the 7.70s and got nowhere but sent to the trailer when the front wheel went flying toward the sky,” said Jones. “I decided Sunday morning in Valdosta to set the bike back up exactly like it was when we were running consistent .80s and winning.
And so the team finished the year the way that champions are supposed to, with a win at the Finals.“Simply put,this season has been a good one,” said Jones.“I feel a strong sense of pride with our winning efforts this year, because the majority of R&D on the ZX14 turbo products we are racing with were tested and developed here in-house at Jones Performance Cycles.
“I am very grateful for the support that we received this year from Coby Adams and Adams Performance, Scott Casper of Western Power Sports, Shinko Tires, Doug Ray of Spencer Cycle, Barry Henson and Velocity Racing, Kim, Matt and Jeff at Carolina Cycle, Ken at Motul Lubricants, Andrew Pearce, my loving family, the Fernandez family, and God above.
Jones and Fernandez start next year off back at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Georgia for the Bikeweek Nationals, March 5-7, 2010.