The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Mills has opened up as he returns to the track following his recent hospitalization for smoke inhalation after a crash with Conner Jones at Homestead-Miami.
Mills shared that he has avoided speaking with Jones, who received a one-race suspension, despite Jones’s efforts to reach out.
The crash took place on Lap 76 of the race, with Mills recounting the incident to FOX Sports’s Bob Pockrass:
“So I sent it off down into turn 3 as hard as I could, and [Jones] sent it off even harder and was pretty… committed to getting to me.
And, at that point, that’s why I felt like I overcorrected so easily because that’s the fastest I had entered that corner all day.
And if you know Homestead, once you get off the bottom lane, there’s no grip right there.
“I didn’t feel what I did was that harsh. I don’t know if something led up to that. I’ve never had any problems that I know of with him.
I’ve never spoken to the kid. So I’ve never had any incidents with him before leading up to this. He has reached out through text and tried calling me.”
Following the crash, Mills’s vehicle hit the wall and caught fire, leading to his hospitalization for smoke inhalation.
Thankfully, he was discharged after a two-day stay.
NASCAR took action against Jones, suspending him for one race due to violations of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rule book, which emphasizes the importance of sportsmanlike conduct.
Jones later addressed the incident on social media, as reported by Newsweek Sports:
“I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so.
“Matt and I have encountered several on-track incidents this season, and I let my frustration get the best of me.
I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior.
“My thoughts are with Matt during this time after hearing that he had been taken to the hospital for further evaluation following the contact on the racetrack.”
Though Jones has tried to connect, Mills is focused on recovery and reflection. He commented:
“It’s been such a hectic week, you know, just physically and mentally, it was exhausting just being in the hospital.
It might sound dramatic, but just getting back to reality and feeling normal again. That was a lot to process itself.
It’s been a hectic week, just getting my safety gear, stuff like that, all replaced.
“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, so I was gonna maybe talk to him soon, but this week I was focused on getting back to the racetrack and listening to all my doctors and everyone.
“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.”
