MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Homestead-Miami Speedway Sprint Cup Series Preview
CORNELIUS, N.C. — The battle for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup title comes down to the season’s final race Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Martin Truex Jr. gives Carl Edwards a slight edge over Tony Stewart to take home the trophy, although the Michael Waltrip Racing driver expects the final few laps on the 1.5-mile oval will decide the title. Truex is focused on making sure both Edwards and Stewart are below him on the scoring pylon when the checkered flag falls. Last year, Truex led 62 of the race’s 267 laps before a cut tire with 70 laps remaining dropped him to an 11th-place finish. Truex owns four top-10 finishes in six races at Homestead.
QUOTES
Martin Truex Jr. on His Sprint Cup Series Championship Pick: “It’s anybody’s race. Based on prior seasons I would have to go with Carl (Edwards) just because of the way he ran there last year. He was really strong so I’d have to give him the edge. But the way Tony Stewart has been running, I mean, his team has been stellar so it’s going to come right down to the end. I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
On Racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: “I know it’s all about the Chase this weekend, but for me, my season isn’t over because I’m not in it. I still have a job to do and that’s to get the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota into victory lane or finish as strong as I can. I truly believe we can be a threat this weekend. I get kind of tired of saying a win is right around the corner because we’ve been close several times this season. But I really do feel good about going down to Homestead. I was fortunate enough to have a really fast car last year and led a bunch of that race. Carl (Edwards) was right there. It was me and him battling for the first 300 miles. We got a flat tire and he ended up winning. Now it’s time for us to get it done and I hope I’ll be racing Carl again for the win. We’re taking our Texas car with us. It’s the new MWR chassis. The MWR guys have been working on some new things so I hope it all works out.”
On Contending for the Chase in 2012? “I believe we can. We’ve worked very, very hard. Everybody at MWR has worked very hard on this NAPA Toyota. We’ve had a lot of speed this season, we’ve just beaten ourselves a little bit here and there. We’ve also had a lot of tough luck. If we can correct those things, I believe we have the speed, the people and the equipment to do it.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
· Sunday marks Truex’s 225th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start.
· Truex scored the fifth most points of any driver in the last five Homestead races.
· Scott Miller, MWR’s executive vice president of competition, will serve as No. 56 crew chief this weekend.
· Autograph Signing: Truex will sign autographs on Saturday at the MWR souvenir rig from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the Homestead-Miami Speedway midway.
· Check out NAPA Reserve Online. Visit napaonline.com to make shopping for an auto part easier. Order online and pick up at your favorite NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
