MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Martin Truex Jr. recalls an afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway more than 15 years ago when his father’s race car and the late Dale Earnhardt’s car were parked nose-to-nose in the Busch garage. The youngster watched as his favorite NASCAR star worked so close to his father preparing for the race on the “Magic Mile.” It’s just one of the memories Truex has from the Loudon, N.H. track that has played such an important role in his family’s racing career.
Nearly two decades later, Truex Jr. visits NHMS this weekend hoping to continue his
second half surge in 2011. The No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver led 14 laps and nearly won Monday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway before fuel mileage forced an extra pit stop that spoiled his victory bid. Despite the 18th-place finish, Truex has scored the 11th most points of any driver in the last 10 races.
Favorite Memory at NHMS: “They used to run a combination race with the Busch North and regular Busch Series teams. My dad’s Busch North car was parked across from Dale Earnhardt’s car. I would watch him get out of his car. I even remember him getting up under his car to work on the carburetor. I was such a big fan of his. To be able to see him up that close and have my dad’s car right next to his – I thought I was something. I was only 15 years old. That was a cool deal and I will never forget it.”
Martin Truex Jr. on Returning to New Hampshire: “I feel good about our flat-track program. I had a good car at Richmond but got wrecked. The last time we raced at New Hampshire, it was kind of crazy with all the two and four tire pit stop strategies being played out for track position. I had a pretty good NAPA Toyota all weekend long. Chad (Johnston) (crew chief) called a great race and everything fell into place with our fuel mileage and the way we took our tires at the end. We ended up on the right end. We feel like we can definitely bring a better package to New Hampshire. Chad has a few things he plans to try out. Of course, I want to qualify better, because I think our effort last time hurt us a little bit. I always love coming to this track because it’s a track I grew up racing on and where I have won races. Hopefully, we’ll finally get us a Sprint Cup win. I thought we were going to get one yesterday. We’ve been running really well so it’s just a matter of time.”
NOTES
. Sunday’s race marks Truex’s 217th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. In 11 starts at Loudon, he has three top-five and five top-10 finishes. His average start is 13th and finish is 15th. He has led 47 laps.
. Truex Tradition: Five times in NASCAR’s major divisions, the Truex family has made the trip to victory lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Truex owns three victories at the “Magic Mile.” He won the 2000 and 2003 K&N Pro Series East races and the 2005 Nationwide Series race. Martin Truex Sr. won the 1994 East race and Martin Jr.’s younger brother Ryan repeated that feat in 2010.
. Truex Fan Event: Fans of all ages have the opportunity to meet Truex at the 2nd Annual MTJF Fan Event on Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn in Manahawkin, NJ. For details: www.martintruexjrfoundation.org http://www.martintruexjrfoundation.org/ .
. NAPA’s Great Breaks on Great Brakes promotion happens this month. Fans can stop into any participating NAPA AUTO PARTS store or AutoCare Center and receive up to a $50 mail-in rebate with the purchase of qualifying NAPA Brakes products.
