Brandon Jones, 17 Wins K&N Pro Series Showdown

#KNEast beats #KNWest Iowa Speedway (#nascar) 

The K&N Pro Series East vs. West rivalry drew a sizable car count of forty-four. Representing the East, Brandon Jones from Atlanta, GA started the battle from eighth yet emerged as another first-time winner in the Autolite Iridium XP 150. The 17-year-old is the eleventh different winner in eleven meetings at Iowa between the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West. 

Brandon Jones celebrates in Victory Lane Friday at Iowa Speedway after winning the Autolite
Iridium XP 150, his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series win. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

It was Jones' twentieth career K&N Pro start. His 2014 already included a third-place run in the K&N Pro East opener at New Smyrna (Florida) Speedway and a runner-up at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. He was also in contention for the win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when his last-lap attempt to pass for the lead also collected Nick Drake and opened the door for Jesse Little to grab the victory.

Kenzie Ruston also an East driver finished in second place and eclipsed her own mark of third-place -- which she did twice -- as the highest finishing female in series history.

Greg Pursley finished ninth. As the highest finished West driver, he was credited with a victory for the K&N Pro West.

The Autolite Iridium XP 150 will air on FOX Sports 1 on Friday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m.

Top Ten

1. Brandon Jones (E)
2. Kenzie Ruston (E)
3. Cole Custer (E)
4. Sergio Peña (E)
5. Scott Heckert (E)
6. Eddie MacDonald (E)
7. Ben Rhodes (E)
8. Kaz Grala (E)
9. Greg Pursley (W)
10. David Mayhew (W)

RACE STATISTICS

Fastest Qualifier: Jesse Little, Time: 23.883 Seconds, Speed: 131.893 mph

Failed to Qualify: (1) Chad Finley * (#29).

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 27 mins, 56 secs

Average Speed: 89.556 mph

Margin of Victory: .338 Seconds

Caution Flags: Laps 19-23; 61-66; 72-75; 130-138. 4 for 24 laps.

Lap Leaders: Jesse Little 1-24, Brodie Kostecki * 25-49, Ben Rhodes * 50-74, Sergio Peña 75, Cole Custer 76-140, Sergio Peña 141, Brandon Jones 142-150.

Total Laps Led: Cole Custer 65, Brodie Kostecki * 25, Ben Rhodes * 25, Jesse Little 24, Brandon Jones 9, Sergio Peña 2. 6 changes involving 6 drivers.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will hit the road course next week with the Bully Hill Vineyards 125 at Watkins Glen International in New York on Friday, Aug. 8.

The next event for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 at Evegreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 16.

NASCAR Next to be Unveiled at Iowa

The NASCAR Next 2013 driver roster will be unveiled today at the Iowa Speedway. 

NASCAR Next is an industry initiative that is the evolution of the Next9 program which has helped to spotlight NASCAR’s up-and-coming talent since 2011 like current national series competitors Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. 

Fans with access to the speedway’s Fan Walk are welcome to attend the announcement, which will take place in Victory Lane starting at 2:45 p.m. CT. 

Those not in attendance are encouraged join in the Twitter conversation with hashtag #NASCARNext.

2012 NASCAR Next Nine (Jennifer Coleman/NASCAR)

In the photo above: Sergio Pena, Daniel Suarez, Darrell Wallace Jr., Ryan Blaney, Corey LaJoie, Cameron Hayley, and bottom row, from left, Chase Elliott, Dylan Kwasniewski and Kyle Larson.