Darren Clay Jones, the Vice President of Beech Bend Raceway Park and Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., and the son of longtime track owner Dallas Jones, passed away on Monday at the age of 42 after an unexpected illness. Jones, better known in the racing community as simply Clay, died at 12:22 a.m. at Owensboro Regional Health Hospital.

Jones was a familiar face at the Beech Bend facility over the years, working tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly, from race control to the timing equipment and electronics to preparation of the racing surface. When he wasn’t at the track or the fledgling amusement park working alongside his father in the family business, Jones was a successful entrepreneur, with several area companies under his watchful eye. Jones owned Clay Jones Trucking and DC Transport, was the Vice President of Clay’s Trucking, and was also President of Clacey’s Auto & Hardware and Clacey’s Quick Fuel.

Jones’ loss has been felt throughout the racing community, and an outpouring of prayers and support came in from around the country upon word of his sudden and tragic illness late last week. No doubt the landscape at Beech Bend, one of the busiest strips in the nation, will be forever altered by his passing, and for those that have frequented the Western Kentucky landmark those days at the track will never be the same, and our condolences go out to the family and friends of Clay Jones and the entire staff at the Beech Bend Raceway Park.

Jones leaves behind his wife, Stephanie Renee Jones, a daughter, Clacey Renee Jones, and parents Dallas and Alfreda Jones.