Matt Mills clarifies his silence on Conner Jones’ apology amid NASCAR suspension for intentional wrecking
Matt Mills has recently revealed that Conner Jones reached out to him through texts and calls, but he hasn’t responded to it following his hospitalization after Jones intentionally wrecked him during last weekend’s NASCAR Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Following the incident, NASCAR suspended Jones for one race, which means he will not compete at Martinsville on Friday.
Speaking to Bob Pockrass ahead of Friday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville, Mills opened up about last week’s accident and why he hasn’t returned calls and texts from Jones. Mills stated that he had a hectic week physically and mentally after being in the hospital due to the Homestead-Miami crash, and due to that, he is ready to have a healthy conversation this week.
Responding to why he hasn’t spoken to Jones after the Homestead wreck, here’s what Mills said:
“He has reached out through text and trying to call me. It’s been such a hectic week, just physically and mentally. It was exhausting just being in the hospital with my son, but just getting back to reality and feeling normal again. That was a lot to process itself, and it’s been a hectic week just getting my safety gear, stuff like that, all replaced. You know, a lot of that had to get replaced. So he has reached out, but being how it’s recent and how hectic the week was just in all scenarios, I don’t feel like I could have a healthy conversation with him.”
The 18-year-old Jones intentionally made contact with Matt Mills in the 76 of the 134 laps while racing for 19th position. Mills lost control of his #42 Chevy Truck after a hit from Jones, and then his #42 Truck caught fire. NASCAR immediately handed Jones a two-lap penalty during the race and then followed up with the one-race suspension for intentionally wrecking.
“I was focused on getting back to the racetrack”: Matt Mills
Matt Mills later confirmed that he will talk to him soon, but this week he is focusing on getting back on the racetrack and regaining his health. He also mentioned that he didn’t have any problems with Jones after the incident.
“I was going to just, you know, maybe talk to him soon, but this week I'm focused on getting back to the racetrack and listening to all my doctors and everyone. So when I feel like I can have a healthy conversation about it, you know, maybe I'll reach back out, but I'm just looking to move on to it,” Mills added in the aforementioned interview.
Matt Mills was released from the hospital on Monday (October 28) after spending two nights at a local hospital where doctors monitored his oxygen levels due to smoke inhalation.
Catch the 27-year-old Virginia in action at Martinsville Speedway on Friday, Nov. 1.