NASCAR driver Erik Jones slides into Red Wings practice

Michigan native Erik Jones enjoys the hot, slick racing surface at Michigan International Speedway for NASCAR racing in the summer. On Tuesday, the surface was icy and slick when Jones visited the Detroit Red Wings. Jones, driver of the #20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, was in town to promote the two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Races at Michigan International Speedway. The FireKeepers Casino 400 is June 9 and the Consumers Energy 400 is Aug. 11. When the Red Wings looked to the bench for instruction from head coach Jeff Blashill during morning skate, he was not there. Instead they saw Jones and Michigan International Speedway President Rick Brenner. Jones watched morning skate and tried to pick up a few pointers that he can carry over to racing. “Every sport is different and it’s neat to see how each one operates,” Jones said. “I’ve had a chance to be around some football teams and had a chance to meet some baseball players, but never hockey. It’s cool to see their process and how they prepare. It’s cool to see that the preparation starts so early for a game.” After the morning skate, Jones presented a helmet to all the Michigan-born Red Wings players. Justin Abdelkader, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendening, Dylan Larkin and Luke Witkowski all received an autographed racing helmet. The Red Wings presented Jones his very own personalized jersey with his name and number on the back. Jones held his post morning skate press conference right in the Red Wings locker room. Surrounded by numerous media members, Jones talked about racing at MIS and in front of his hometown fans. At the end Blashill walked in to show him how it is done. The head coach gave Jones his own Red Wings hat and Jones gave Blashill a signed helmet. The Red Wings fan came back to the game to watch his beloved team beat the Anaheim Ducks.