CORNELIUS, N.C.— No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Martin Truex Jr. returns to points racing when the longest race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600, gets underway Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Darlington and Dover races saw the Michael Waltrip Racing driver move from 66 to 46 points out of the 10th and final Chase points position. Crew Chief Pat Tryson has some interesting thoughts on the strategy needed to make-up even more points in the next 15 races before the Chase begins. Truex finished 13th in the Sprint Showdown after making contact with another car and will bring a new Toyota Camry to Charlotte for Sunday’s race.
QUOTES
MARTIN TRUEX JR. THOUGHTS ON RACING AT CHARLOTTE: “I’m glad we got to run the Sprint Showdown because the 40 laps we raced, it told us a few things about our NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. We’re keeping with our original game plan and bringing a brand new NAPA Toyota. I’m looking forward to keeping our momentum going. I think and I hope the tide has turned on our season. We have the potential to turn a good season into a great one.”
PAT TRYSON ON HIS RACE STRATEGY HEADING INTO CHARLOTTE: “Right now where we are sitting, Martin made up 20 points in just two weeks. There is nothing out there right now that says we cannot make up 40 points in 15 weeks. I think as a crew chief, I’m going to pick and choose when I take chances. I have to be smart about it because it’s not worth taking risks every time. It doesn’t make sense. Bad decisions can very easily take a team out of Chase contention and out of the top 20 in points.”
TRYSON ON CALLING A 600-MILE RACE: “The biggest keys are to stay on the lead lap and out of trouble in my opinion. If we can accomplish those two things and be there in the end, then our attention turns to track position. I think the All-Star race was a good indication to the type of race we are going to see Sunday. Track position should be extremely important in order to have a chance to win the Coca-Cola 600.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
• Michael Waltrip Racing will hold its annual Fan Day on May 25 in Cornelius, N.C. Truex will sign autographs starting 5:30 p.m. Michael Waltrip, along with David Reutimann, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Truex and Brett Moffitt will also be in attendance. Visit: www.michaelwaltrip.com for event details.
• Sunday’s race marks Truex’s 201st NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. In 11 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he has two top-10 and six top-20 finishes. His average start is 22nd and finish is 19th.
• NAPA Racing will host Honorary Pit Crew Member Billy Mack. He owns Mack’s Auto Repair in Harrisburg, N.C. He will be honored in NAPA pre-race festivities and have his name decaled on the No. 56 Toyota.
• Check out NAPA Reserve Online. Visit www.napaonline.com to make shopping for an auto part easier. Order online and pick up at your favorite NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
