Martin Truex Sr Dies at 66

RIP – Prayers and Positive Thoughts

March 24, 1958 – January 17, 2025

 

Martin Truex Sr., the father of former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr., has died, Truex and his brother said in a statement. He was 66.

 

“We are devastated by the loss of our father,” Martin Jr and Ryan Truex said. “Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”

 

No details of Truex Sr.’s death were revealed.

 

Truex Sr. was a former driver in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, where he made 15 starts from 1989 to 1998. His best finish was 12th at Nazareth Speedway in 1994. He retired early to advance the career of his two sons. His second son, Ryan, is the reserve and development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

 

Truex Sr. was one of the owners of the commercial fishing company Sea Watch International.

 

RIP Martin Truex Sr. 🕊️

The elder Truex raced in the NASCAR Busch North Series throughout the 1990s, winning once at New Hampshire in 1994. He also made 15 @NASCAR_Xfinity starts, and he set his sons Martin Jr. and Ryan up for big things. pic.twitter.com/Nq7ogd2HOi

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) January 17, 2025

We join the racing community in mourning the loss of longtime racer, Martin Truex Sr.

Our thoughts are with the Truex family.

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 18, 2025

RIP Martin Truex Sr.

Martin was a determined driver, who never was a dominant figure in the Busch North Series, but delivered a VERY satisfying underdog win in a nationally televised race at New Hampshire in 1994 pic.twitter.com/tfRWUpNjWS

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) January 17, 2025

 

source: Yahoo Media

RIP Sherry Pollex

"I often wonder if that’s my purpose here,”

 

Sherry Pollex, the ex-partner of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and the co-founder of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation charity, has died at 44. Pollex battled ovarian cancer for several years, starting in 2014, and the disease later recurred in 2021.

 

"It is with great sorrow that our beloved daughter, sister Sherry quietly passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 17," the message from her family read. "Although there are no words to express our sadness, we take solace in the fact that Sherry is no longer suffering and has been taken back in the arms of the Lord."

 

It continued: "As we all know, Sherry lived her life to the fullest, influencing thousands, if not millions of people through her own personal journey." "Her love for her family, Catwalk kids who she adored, and her friends will last forever," the statement added.

 

"Please join our family in thanking God for giving us Sherry, she's such an incredible expression of love that will live on." "We will continue her legacy of love and caring for those in need as she will always be alive in our hearts,".

 

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Pollex co-founded focused on assisting in childhood and ovarian cancer research, relief, and funding. She was also a founding member of the charity fashion gala as part of the foundation called Catwalk for a Cause, per NASCAR.com.

 

Pollex was part of the event's creation in 2010 and raised more than $4million in the fight against childhood cancer. She was diagnosed four years later with stage three ovarian cancer at 35 and began to make efforts to address the disease alongside childhood cancer.

 

Truex Jr. and Pollex were even recognized together in 2017, receiving NASCAR's National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award for their contributions to the sport and the community.

 

After discovering that the cancer had returned and spread to her lungs in September 2021, she noted to The Athletic a year later that she felt her purpose was to lead the charge in a fight against the disease.

 

"I often wonder if that’s my purpose here,” she explained to the publication.

 

"It’s maybe not what I would have chosen for myself — nobody really wants to be the poster child for any type of cancer — but maybe I’m supposed to go through all this so I can pave the way for other women."

 

Pollex continued: "On some days, that can be a really hard pill to swallow. "But on other days, it’s like, ‘You know, I’ve been given this really important role in this life, and if I’m going to leave a legacy behind and help other people, then I need to do it 100 percent.’"

 

Rest in Peace Sherry.

She was such a fighter. Inspiring in how she went about her own challenges but also how she learned to live every day to it’s fullest. Amy and I were lucky to have known her and call her a friend. https://t.co/wVzIxlK9LK

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 17, 2023

This is so hard to comprehend. I met Sherry my first year living in NC sum 20 yrs ago. Sherry was a beautiful person in so many ways. She fought so hard!! It’s really hard to see those dates under her picture. My prayers to her family and loved ones, I can’t even imagine. 💔 pic.twitter.com/KE7qrfWRjg

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) September 18, 2023

This is so hard to comprehend. I met Sherry my first year living in NC sum 20 yrs ago. Sherry was a beautiful person in so many ways. She fought so hard!! It’s really hard to see those dates under her picture. My prayers to her family and loved ones, I can’t even imagine. 💔 pic.twitter.com/KE7qrfWRjg

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) September 18, 2023

We are heartbroken at the passing of our dear friend, Sherry Pollex. Sherry was one of a kind and loved by so many. She fought the good fight, and is now healed. We are praying for everyone in the racing community. We love you, Sherry.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” pic.twitter.com/J96RfJRV9B

— MRO (@FollowMRO) September 18, 2023

Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Sherry Pollex…it was less than a year ago that she served as our honorary pace car driver. Sherry was such a fighter and has done so much in an effort to benefit those who are also fighting. Godspeed, Sherry. You have certainly left this… pic.twitter.com/jYc521N1IK

— Kip Childress (@KipChildress) September 17, 2023

Richard Petty and the Petty Family is saddened by the loss of Sherry Pollex. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends!

— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) September 17, 2023

I am heartbroken for this family. @SherryPollex was one of the most beautiful souls inside and out, who had dedicated her life to helping others who were suffering.

My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. We were all better off from our time we got to spend with this… https://t.co/k4NzI7FUm5

— Kaitlyn Vincie (@kaitlynvincie) September 17, 2023

 

source: The Sun Media

NASCAR Cup Playoff Drivers

Listed by Seeding

 

 

 

A total of 10 different organizations are represented in this season’s NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoffs – Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, RFK Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing, 23XI Racing, Team Penske, Front Row Motorsports, JTG Daugherty Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing.

 

All three NASCAR Cup Series official engine manufacturers have qualified for the Playoffs as well, led by Ford with six entries into the postseason, followed by Chevrolet and Toyota with five each.

 

Looking ahead to Darlington Raceway, eight former winners are entered in the race this weekend; led by Denny Hamlin (2022 2020, 2017, 2010) with four wins. Kevin Harvick (2020-3, 2020-1, 2014) and Martin Truex Jr. (2016, 2021) are the only other Playoff drivers this season with multiple wins at Darlington Raceway.

 

Driver listed below are by seeding heading into Darlington:

William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 1 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,036 points – up +29 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his fifth consecutive appearance in the postseason (2023, ‘22, '21 '20, '19). Byron is currently tied in points with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. but owns the No. 1 seed due to the tiebreaker of most wins. Byron has made 10 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway amassing one pole, one win (2023), three top fives and four top 10s. His average finish at the 1.366-mile track is 16.8. If Byron were to win this weekend, he would become the 14th different driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to post consecutive wins at Darlington; Dale Earnhardt (1989-1990) and Jeff Gordon (1995-1996) are tied for the series-most consecutive wins at Darlington with three each.

 

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) heads to Darlington Raceway as the Regular Season Champion – just the second driver in the series to win multiple Regular Season Championships (2017, 2023); joining Kyle Busch (2018, 2019). Truex enters the Playoffs as the No. 2 seed with 2,036 points – up +29 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his 10th postseason appearance (2023, '21 '20, '19, '18, '17, '16, '15, '12, '07). Truex has made 22 series starts at Darlington Raceway, putting up one pole, two wins (2016, 2021), four top fives and 10 top 10s. His average finish at the 1.366-mile track is 13.2.

 

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 3 seed in this season’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,025 points – up +18 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his record setting 17th postseason appearance (2023, ‘22, '21, '20, '19, '18, '17, '16, '15, '14, '12, '11, '10, '09, '08, '07, '06). Hamlin has made 22 series starts at Darlington Raceway, putting up one pole, four wins (series-most among active drivers: 2010, 2017, 2020, 2021), 12 top fives and 16 top 10s. His average finish at Darlington is 7.7 – best among active drivers.

 

Chris Buescher (No. 17 RFK Racing Ford) rolls into Darlington Raceway after winning the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway as the No. 4 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,021 points – up +14 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his second appearance in the postseason (2023, ’16). Buescher has made 12 series starts at Darlington posting three top-10 finishes. His average finish at Darlington is 17.5.

 

Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) arrives at Darlington Raceway as the No. 5 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,019 points – up +12 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his 16th postseason appearance (2023 ‘22, '21 '20, '19, '18, '17, '16, '15, '14, '13, '11, '10, '08, '07, '06). Busch has made 23 series starts at Darlington posting one win (2008) six top fives and 14 top 10s. His average finish at the 1.366-mile track is 13.4.

 

Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 6 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,017 points – up +10 points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his seventh postseason appearance (2023, ‘22, '21, '19, '18, '17, '16). Larson has made 11 series starts at Darlington, posting five top fives and seven top 10s. His average finish at 1.366-mile facility is 10.1 – second-best among active drivers.

 

Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 7 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,014 points – up seven points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his third postseason appearance (2023, ‘22, ’21). Bell has made eight series starts at Darlington Raceway, collecting one top-five and two top-10 finishes. His average finish at Darlington is 16.0.

 

Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) rolls into Darlington Raceway as the No. 8 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,011 points – up four points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his second career postseason appearance (2023, ’22). Looking to Darlington, Chastain has made eight series starts at the egg-shaped track accumulating one top-five and one top-10 finish. His average finish at Darlington is 22.8.

 

Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford) returns to Darlington Raceway as the No. 9 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,010 points – up three points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his 11th appearance in the postseason (2023, '21 '20, '19, '18, '17, '16, '15, '14, '12, '11). Keselowski has made 19 series starts at Darlington Raceway posting one pole, one win (2018), six top fives and 10 top 10s. His average finish at Darlington is 11.7 – third-best among active drivers.

 

Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota) arrives at Darlington Raceway as the No. 10 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,009 points – up two points on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his third career appearance in the postseason (2023, ‘22, ‘21). Reddick has made eight series starts at Darlington Raceway posting two top-five and three top-10 finishes. His average finish at Darlington is 12.5.

 

Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford), last season’s champion, heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 11 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,008 points – up just one point on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his 10th postseason appearance (2023, ‘22, '21 '20, '19, '18, '16, '15, '14, '13). Logano returns to the ‘Lady In Black’ having made 19 series career starts at Darlington grabbing two poles, one win (2022), six top fives and 10 top 10s. His average finish at Darlington is 13.2.

 

Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford) heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 12 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,008 points – up just one point on the Round of 12 cutoff – in his seventh postseason appearance (2023, ‘22, '21 '20, '19, '18, '17). Blaney has made 13 series starts at Darlington, posting two top-10 finishes. His average finish at the South Carolina track is 17.8.

 

Michael McDowell (No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford) arrives at Darlington Raceway as the No. 13 seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with 2,007 points – one point back from Ryan Blaney in the 12th and final transfer spot on points to the Round of 12 – in his second appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason (2023, ’21). McDowell has made 16 series starts at Darlington putting up two top-10 finishes. His average finish at the historic track is 26.4

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet) will start the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the No. 14 seed with 2,005 points - three points behind the Round of 12 cutoff – in his second appearance in the postseason (2023, '17). Stenhouse has made 15 series starts at Darlington Raceway putting up one top-10 finish. His average finish at the egg-shaped track is 23.0.

 

Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) starts off the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the No. 15 seed with 2,004 points – back four points from the Round of 12 cutoff – in his record setting 17th career postseason appearance (2023, ‘22 '21, '20, '19, '18, '17, '16, '15, '14, '13, '12, '11, '10, '08, '07, '06). Harvick has made 31 series starts at Darlington Raceway grabbing three wins (2014, 2020-1, 2020-3), 13 top fives and 19 top 10s. His average finish at Darlington is 12.4.

 

Bubba Wallace (No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota) is climbing off of Cloud-9 this week after earning the final spot into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in the regular season finale at Daytona. Now the Alabama native heads to Darlington Raceway as the No. 16 seed with 2,000 points – back eight points from the Round of 12 cutoff – in his first postseason appearance (2023). Wallace has made 10 series starts at Darlington posting one top five and two top 10s. His average finish at Darlington is 20.8.

 

To be a champion, you must first go through @TooToughToTame. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/MDo4ULjThF

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 3, 2023

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Teammates Martin Truex Jr. & Denny Hamlin Vie for Regular Season Championship

Truex Jr Starts P13 tonight with Hamlin P19

 

It all comes down to unpredictable Daytona International Speedway to decide who will win this season’s NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship. One thing is for certain, a Joe Gibbs Racing driver will be taking home the prestigious honor, trophy and fifteen (15) Playoff bonus points. The question is, ‘Which one?’

 

Currently, Martin Truex Jr. holds the NASCAR Cup Series’ point standings lead by 39 points over his teammate Denny Hamlin in second. Truex can clinch the Regular Season Championship, no matter what Hamlin does, if he scores 22 points tonight.

 

Seems not too difficult, and normally that might be the case, but this time Truex is facing some daunting obstacles. The first being the unpredictability of ‘superspeedway racing,’ and Truex has not won a superspeedway event in the NASCAR Cup Series in his career. At Daytona, Truex has made 36 starts posting three top fives and six top 10s. He has finished runner-up at the 2.5-mile track twice, the most recent coming in the 2018 DAYTONA 500, where finished runner-up to Denny Hamlin.

 

The second biggest obstacle to overcome this weekend is his teammate Denny Hamlin, who just so happens to be one of the best active drivers on superspeedways. He leads all drivers entered this weekend in wins at Daytona International Speedway with three victories (2016, 2019, 2020). In total, Hamlin has made 35 starts at Daytona putting up three wins, 11 top fives, and 12 top 10s.

 

 

If Truex (2017) wins the 2023 Regular Season Championship this weekend, he will join Kyle Busch (2018, 2019) as the only two drivers to win it multiple times.

 

If Hamlin takes the Regular Season Championship, he will become the sixth different driver in series history to win the prestigious honor; joining Kyle Busch (2018, 2019), Chase Elliott (2022), Kyle Larson (2021), Kevin Harvick (2020) and Martin Truex JR. (2017).

 

High stakes on the high banks TONIGHT.

It’s the #CokeZeroSugar400 and Regular Season Finale! pic.twitter.com/qN5ow4TNj5

— Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) August 26, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoff Outlook

Playoff Streaks In Jeopardy: Several drivers need to win to get into the postseason

With Four Wins - William Byron Sits On Top of Playoff Standings

 

Looking at the NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Playoff standings outlook, several big names are below the cut line and with just three races left in the regular season the pressure to earn a spot in the postseason is mounting.

 

Rolling into this weekend at Indianapolis, three former NASCAR Cup Series champions – Kevin Harvick,  Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott, another eight former Playoff drivers – Michael McDowell,  Daniel Suarez, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon and Chase Briscoe, plus another three former Cup Series winners – Bubba Wallace, A.J. Allmendinger, and Justin Haley make up the 20-driver field of eligible competitors still looking for a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Playoffs.

 

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 23

#	Driver	Pts	Starts	Wins
1	William Byron	703	23	4
2	Martin Truex Jr.	799	23	3
3	Kyle Busch	649	23	3
4	Denny Hamlin	742	23	2
5	Kyle Larson	662	23	2
6	Chris Buescher	639	23	2
7	Christopher Bell	677	23	1
8	Ross Chastain	656	23	1
9	Ryan Blaney	642	23	1
10	Joey Logano	636	23	1
11	Tyler Reddick	609	23	1
12	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	530	23	1
13	Kevin Harvick	663	23	0
14	Brad Keselowski	651	23	0
15	Bubba Wallace	541	23	0
16	Ty Gibbs #	486	23	0
17	Michael McDowell	483	23	0
18	Daniel Suarez	481	23	0
19	AJ Allmendinger	462	23	0
20	Alex Bowman	442	*20	0
21	Austin Cindric	433	23	0
22	Chase Elliott	431	*16	0
23	Justin Haley	414	23	0
24	Aric Almirola	405	23	0
25	Ryan Preece	397	23	0
26	Corey LaJoie	379	23	0
27	Todd Gilliland	378	23	0
28	Erik Jones	365	23	0
29	Austin Dillon	341	23	0
30	Harrison Burton	323	23	0
31	Chase Briscoe	289	23	0
32	Ty Dillon	220	23	0

*Granted a Waiver by NASCAR

 

The four drivers currently occupying the four open transfer spots on points in the Playoff outlook are Kevin Harvick (+180 points), Brad Keselowski (+168), Bubba Wallace (+58) and rookie Ty Gibbs (+3). Harvick has made 16 appearances in the Playoffs (tied with Denny Hamlin for series-most), including the last 13 postseasons consecutively – the longest active streak of consecutive appearances.

 

Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell dropped out of the 16th spot and into 17th place in the Playoff standings outlook following his 24th-place finish at Michigan, and now sits three points back from Joe Gibbs Racing’s rookie Ty Gibbs.

 

“We had a good run at Michigan and we need a good one at Indianapolis as well,” said Gibbs. “We just need to keep having good finishes and we can get in the Playoffs. We want to win, but we need good finishes if we can’t win.”

 

Behind McDowell is former road course winners, Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suárez in 18th only five points back from Gibbs in the final transfer spot on points, and Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger (-24 points), who won at the Indianapolis Road Course in 2021.

 

But the biggest name below the Playoff cut line and approaching a must win situation, is the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports’ driver Chase Elliott, currently 55 points back from the postseason cutoff. Elliott’s streak of seven consecutive Playoff appearances is in jeopardy with just three races to go in the regular season. In Elliott’s two starts at the Indianapolis Road Course he has finished fourth (2021) and 16th (2022).

 

Drivers and crews have to be perfect to have a shot to win. pic.twitter.com/5vin55tVDv

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 8, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Truex Brothers Sweep Dover

It’s a Truex Takeover in Dover

 

You could say NASCAR’s stop at Dover (De.) Motor Speedway was “All in the Family;” a kin-to-win kind of weekend. Martin Truex Jr. answered his younger brother Ryan’s NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on Saturday with a win in Monday’s rain-delayed Wurth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race – the fourth win of his career at the one-mile oval he considers his “home track.”

 

Truex, who started 17th in the 36-car field after qualifying was cancelled due to weather, methodically worked his way forward in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. The 42-year-old New Jersey native finally took the lead for the first time with 69 laps remaining and led all but one of those final laps to claim his first points-paying victory of the season, ending a 54-race winless streak.

 

He and his JGR pit crew ultimately had to earn the win with pit strategy and pit execution. On a pit stop during the race’s final caution period, Truex’s team opted to put only right-side tires on his Toyota. With the quick stop, he was able to beat the field back out to the track and then on the ensuing re-start – with seven laps to go – hold off a hard-charging Ross Chastain, whose No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet had taken four fresh tires on the stop.

 

Martin Truex Jr. wins Dover for the FOURTH TIME! 2007, 2016, 2019, and 2023 🏆 Congratulations, @MartinTruex_Jr and @Ryan_Truex on dominating the @MonsterMile. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/QMJBdpzrFN

— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops) May 1, 2023

“It feels incredible,’’ Truex said. “I feel like we’ve been close a bunch of times, that’s for sure. Felt today, with that caution, what’s going to happen here and then good call by [crew chief] James [Small] to take two (tires) and then I was able to get a pretty good re-start.

 

“Just thanks to everybody that stuck with me. … we knew we could do this. We’ve shown we can lead laps and have dominated races and it just never all came together. I’ve said we just had to keep doing what we were doing and not overthink it.’’

 

“It’s just special, you know,’’ Truex said. “This is a special place. Good day for my family and to see Ryan win Saturday he’s worked so hard for so long to get good opportunities and it’s awesome.

 

“And then for us, we’ve given away a few here over the years so it’s nice to see it come around our way. Just excited and had a hot rod. Just needed to get it out front.”

 

This win marks the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Truex’s 32nd career win and first since a victory at Richmond, Va. on Sept. 11, 2021. Snapping the streak and sharing Dover’s Victory Circle with his younger brother, Ryan, truly made the week for the veteran.

 

𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘𝗫 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥.

The Truex brothers combined for 192 laps led on their way to the weekend sweep! It was the 13th time brothers have swept a race weekend.@Ryan_Truex | @MartinTruex_Jr | Graphic by FRG Designs pic.twitter.com/uveO0yuxDX

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) May 3, 2023

Thirty-One year old Ryan Truex led a dominating 124 of the 200 laps on Saturday. He swept both stage wins and ultimately took the checkered flag an impressive 4.8-seconds ahead of the field to claim his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in the ‘A-GAME 200.’

 

“I’m just so thankful, all these fans, my team, they really stuck behind me,” said a smiling and emotional Truex, who becomes the 13th different NASCAR Xfinity Series driver to claim his first win at Dover.

 

“Most people didn’t believe in me, and I still did – my girlfriend, my family, my parents, my brother did. I’m just so thankful to be here.

 

“I felt like with 20 to go, I was just waiting for something to happen,’’ he continued, ‘just praying, please God keep everything straight and let’s get to the end of this. What a car, what an amazing Toyota Supra. I’m speechless.

 

“I thought I’d be more emotional right now, but when I crossed the flag I couldn’t even talk on the radio and I’m not an emotional guy. This is for everyone that doubted me.”

 

 

source: NASCAR Media Truex Sweep
(photo by Rolando @RTR_Graphics97)

Christopher Bell Wins KLĒNSKIN Pole

With Martin Truex Jr., it is a Joe Gibbs Racing Front Row

 

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell earned his second career top-starting spot with a lap of 180.92 mph during KLĒNSKIN Pole Qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday morning – just edging his teammate Martin Truex Jr., by a scant .081-second.

 

Now that’s a good looking front row!#TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/uua62G8ea9

— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) April 23, 2022

 

The all-JGR Toyota front row marks the first time the team has swept top qualifying honors (in a qualifying session) at the 2.66-mile venue. The teammates will lead the field to green in Sunday’s GEICO 500 (3 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

“I can’t say I got anything [picking up speed] that was all my crew guys. I’m just very thankful to be in the position I am driving for Joe Gibbs Racing,’’ said Bell, whose best Talladega finish in four starts is fifth in last fall’s race.

 

“We’ve got a great team and this one is a pretty big thank you to [executive] Andy Graves at TRD (Toyota Racing Development). We ride him pretty hard, but I’ll give this engine a 10, Andy.’’

 

Asked if he thought the wind gusts at the track ultimately made a difference in his pole-winning speed, the 27-year-old smiled and said, “it didn’t hurt.’’

 

“Even from the first round to the second round I could tell my RPMs picked up really big going down the back straightaway then they were pretty flat going down the front straightaway, so I don’t’ know if it was an advantage to me, but definitely didn’t hurt,’’ said Bell, whose previous pole position came in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Hemric – held the top qualifying position until the final two cars in the second round (Truex and Bell) and will start third in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. Daniel Suárez was fourth fastest in the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson was fifth fastest in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports. None of these top-five qualifiers has ever won a NASCAR Cup Series race at the track.

 

Toyota drivers Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet’s William Byron, Toyota’s Bubba Wallace and Chevrolet’s Tyler Reddick rounded out the top-10 for Sunday’s grid.

 

Of note, the top qualifying Ford driver was Joey Logano, who will roll off 13th in the No. 22 Team Penske Mustang on Sunday. Defending race winner, Brad Keselowski will start his No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Ford from 15th position on the grid.

 

Keselowski is the winningest driver in the field with six victories.

 

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway

Martin Truex Jr. Returns to Bristol Dirt

Looking for Redemption

 

 

 

Last season’s Food City Dirt Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt track was dominated by Joe Gibbs Racing’s  Martin Truex Jr. who led a race-high 126 of the schedule 253 laps (49.8%). The New Jersey native started fifth and won the first stage but ultimately fell to 19th at the finish. Now, still winless in 2022, Truex and the No. 19 team return to Bristol looking for some redemption on the dirt.

 

Last season, Truex competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt taking the win, his first in the series. With the win, Truex became the 36th of the 39 drivers all-time to win at least one race in all three of NASCAR’s national series.

 

Truex is still looking for his first win of the season. Through eight races, he has accumulated one top five and four top 10s.

 

 

Martin Truex Jr.

No. 19 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Camry TRD
Birthday: June 29, 1980
Hometown: Mayetta, NJ

2017 NASCAR Cup Series Champion

2016, 2019 Coca-Cola 600 Winner

2016 Southern 500 Winner

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Unpredictable Talladega Playoff Weekend

UPDATE: The NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway has been postponed due to inclement weather. The YellaWood 500 will now take place Monday at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. 

 

 

 

Known as one of the biggest hurdles in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Talladega Superspeedway opens the gates and unleashes the postseason contenders to battle it out in Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90). Expect the unexpected in this weekend’s event at Talladega as it is literally anyone’s to win and with the stakes so high and the Playoff standings so tight, the competition could reach new heights.

 

Race. Day.#NASCARPlayoffs | @TALLADEGA pic.twitter.com/2fDVC04908

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 3, 2021

 

• Next Race: Chevrolet Silverado 250  
• The Place: Talladega Superspeedway  
• The Date: Saturday, October 2  
• The Time: 1 p.m. ET  
• TV: FS1, 12 p.m. ET  
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)  
• Distance: 250.04 miles (94 Laps) 
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20) 
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40) 
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 94)

 

Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:

 

• • In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
• • In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points. 
• • In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points. 
• • In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points. 
• • In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points. 

 

Twice a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 

• • In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points. 
• • In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.

 

Extra! Extra! Read all about it 📰.@keselowski | @TALLADEGA pic.twitter.com/6xY1twiqzz

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 3, 2021

 

Clinch Scenarios: Trying to advance at Talladega

Just two races left for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff challengers in the Round of 12 to secure their spot in the Round of 8. Denny Hamlin, with his win last weekend at Las Vegas, is the only driver locked into the next round, leaving seven spots still up for grabs as the series heads to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the YellaWood 500 (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) the fifth race of the 2021 postseason.

 

Already Clinched

 

The following driver has clinched a spot in the eight-driver field of the next round:

• Denny Hamlin.

 

Can clinch via points

 

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 7th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott or Joey Logano.

 

• • Kyle Larson:  Would clinch with 54 points (55 points if Joey Logano wins) 
• • Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano:  Could only clinch with help this weekend.

 

If there is a new winner from Brad Keselowski or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 6th winless driver in the standings.

 

• • Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help this weekend.

 

Can clinch via win

 

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: 

• Kyle Larson, 
• Kyle Busch, 
• Martin Truex Jr., 
• Ryan Blaney, 
• Chase Elliott, 
• Joey Logano, 
• Brad Keselowski, 
• William Byron, 
• Kevin Harvick 
• Alex Bowman  
• Christopher Bell
  

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

The Magic Mile to Host 50th Running of NASCAR Cup Series Race

Joe Gibbs Racing Front Row - Kyle Busch on Pole Joined by Teammate Martin Truex Jr

 

• Next Race: Foxwoods Resort Casino 301  
• The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway  
• The Date: Sunday, July 18  
• The Time: 3 p.m. ET TV: NBCSN, 2:30 p.m. ET  
• Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio  
• Distance: 318.46 miles (301 Laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 75)
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 185)
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 301)

 

#BuschLightApple Contest

Do you want to help design a sweet paint scheme for Kevin Harvick? Whenever the #4 car is in the last 3 laps of a stage, tweet #BuschLightApple #Sweepstakes. 

 

Every new stage is a chance to enter! #Foxwoods301

 

🏁 EVERY TIME THERE’S A SWEET FINISH TODAY...

Enter for your chance to help design a sweet paint scheme for @KevinHarvick’s car.

Whenever the #4 car is in the last 3 laps of a stage, tweet #BuschLightApple #Sweepstakes. Every new stage is a chance to enter! #Foxwoods301 pic.twitter.com/c8yizbiJ8Q

— Busch Beer (@BuschBeer) July 18, 2021

 

Weather Update

The wet weather is currently not cooperating with NASCAR’s  plans. You can stay up-to-date regarding track conditions by following Brian Neudorff on twitter. Brian is unofficial NASCAR Meteorologist, providing accurate forecasts for Cup/ Xfinity/ Trucks each week via Social Media

 

Five Races To Go

With just five races remaining in the regular season in the NASCAR Cup Series time is running thin for drivers to ensure their spot in the Playoffs. Gazing ahead to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, five drivers have already clinched their spots on wins and points with several others having the opportunity to do the same this weekend.

 

The following five drivers have clinched a spot in the Sixteen (16)-driver postseason field: 

1. Kyle Larson 
2. Kyle Busch 
3. Chase Elliott 
4. Martin Truex Jr.
   
5. Alex Bowman
   

 

Track History

The NASCAR Cup Series 2021 regular season schedule is winding down with just five races to go and this weekend the best side-by-side racing in sports heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the 50th running of the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 on July 18 at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

 

Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was August 13, 1989. The 1.058-mile paved oval is located on approximately 1,200 acres; the multi-use complex is the largest sports facility in New England. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre on January 11, 2008, and then renamed the track New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

 

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was on July 11, 1993 and won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace driving a Team Penske Pontiac (105.947 mph, 02:59:45).

 

There have been forty-nine (49) NASCAR Cup Series races held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year from 1997-2017. In 2018, the track reverted back to just one event per season. The forty-nine (49) NASCAR Cup Series races at New Hampshire have produced twenty-two (22) different pole winners and (twenty-four) 24 different race winners.

 

Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Newman leads the series in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with seven (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 sweep, 2013). This weekend’s starting lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying and as a result Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch will start on the pole. Busch will be joined by JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr. on the front row.

 

Sunday schedule! 🎰🏁🦞 #Foxwoods301
📋: https://t.co/XOKjdUGvZs pic.twitter.com/KX5Ns3o6tb

— New Hampshire Motor Speedway (@NHMS) July 18, 2021

 

NBC Sports TV Analyst and former driver Jeff Burton (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick (2006, 2016, 2018, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with four victories each. Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski is the most recent Cup winner at New Hampshire taking home the trophy last season after putting on a dominant performance of leading 184 of the scheduled 301 laps.

 

.@KevinHarvick and @dennyhamlin put on quite the show in 2019.

Will either find Victory Lane at @NHMS this weekend? pic.twitter.com/BddVbpQTCe

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 18, 2021

 

 

source: NASCAR Media