Erik Jones, driver of the #77 SiriusXM Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The late caution that proved costly to Martin Truex Jr. could have been a boon to Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Erik Jones, whose only path to the playoff was a victory at Richmond.

After pitting for tires under the final caution, Jones lined up fifth for an overtime restart on lap 403, but his hopes for an upset evaporated when he missed a shift as the green flag waved.

“Well, I was hoping we’d try to make it three wide and make something happen, you know?” Jones said. “We were just going to have to bully our way to the front, and unfortunately we just didn’t get the chance. I just missed third gear and messed up. I mean, I don’t know if I’ve ever missed a shift before.

“It’s just really disappointing. I really hate it for my guys and hate that we didn’t at least get a shot at it. Would have loved to go after it, but the SiriusXM Camry was good all night. We were a top-five car all night. We just didn’t quite find that last little bit of speed we needed, but had the restart we wanted – had the shot we wanted – just didn’t work out.”