MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Pocono Raceway
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Pocono Raceway is a tricky triangle if you ask the driver of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. Just 50 days ago at the 2.5-mile track, Martin Truex Jr. recorded a hard-fought 10th-place finish in his first race with crew chief Chad Johnston. After seven races together, they have learned a great deal en route to three top-10 finishes. With 16 races remaining, the duo is looking to build upon the respectable run together, and know that consistent top-10 finishes can put them in position to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
TRUEX QUOTES
MARTIN TRUEX JR. ON POCONO: “We had a top-10 finish last time with a car that was strong at the end of the race. We struggled the first two days at Pocono and threw a bunch of things at our NAPA Toyota during the race. Chad and I met yesterday to go over our plan and I believe we learned enough from the spring race to come out of the box strong on Friday and keep improving our car throughout the weekend so we can start the race in a much better position.”
TRUEX ON TRICKY TRIANGLE: “It’s a very challenging track. It’s bumpy and it has three very distinct corners and you have to get through all three of them. There is no compromising of a turn any more. The teams have figured it out when setting up the cars. It is a difficult balance, but it can be done.”
CHAD JOHNSTON ON THE NAPA TEAM: “I think we’re all working well as a team. I think Martin’s communication is getting better week to week. I am learning more about the questions that need to ask him in order to get the information I want. We continue to grow and learn together as a group. The guys are flawless so it’s a matter of getting the communication going so that the car continues to go fast. In seven races, we ran strong in five. I believe if we can finish consistently in the top 10, we will put ourselves in position to win. I definitely think it is attainable and where our goals are right now for this NAPA AUTO PARTS team.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: Truex will be stopping by the Schick Get Fresh Society Mobile Tour Display from 12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. on Saturday. Autographs will be guaranteed for the first 40 fans.
. Sunday’s race marks the 210th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start for Truex and 11th at Pocono. In Cup competition, he has one top-five and four top-10 finishes. His average start is 20th and average finish is 16th.
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