Sunday, June 23, 2013

Zero to Hero and Back
A Favorite NASCAR Story Line

It's easy to go from “hero to zero” in NASCAR Racing. The reverse is usually much harder.

A general view of cars racing during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at
Sonoma Raceway on June 23, 2013 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This weekend is a case in point. Yesterday Jamie McMurray, not known as one of NASCAR's top road racers, took advantage of a new qualifying format at Sonoma Raceway to take the pole position for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350.

Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 CESSNA Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 22, 2013
in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
By the end of the grueling 110 lapper, he drove his Cessna Chevrolet over the finish line in 25th place. McMurray had trouble with a broken shock late in the race.

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, gets out of his car after spinning
during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway
on June 22, 2013 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Race Winner Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, on the other hand started the road course from fourteenth on the starting grid. He spun during the qualifying session.

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, celebrates in victory lane
after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway
on June 23, 2013 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
His win breaks a 218 race winless streak. His first win was at Dover in June of 2007. Truex, Jr. also led the most laps on the day - 51 of 110.

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