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[/media-credit]MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. plans to continue his strong start to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver is tied for sixth place in the standings with MWR teammate Mark Martin. The No. 56 team has picked up in 2012 where it left off in 2011. Truex has posted five top-10 finishes in the last seven races. In Phoenix, he led 29 laps on his way to a seventh-place finish.
Before heading to Las Vegas, Truex and his crew chief Chad Johnston will join NHRA Top Fuel driver Antron Brown at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte for a duel ride-along to promote the upcoming NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Then, Truex will return the favor and take Brown for a spin in his NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
TRUEX JR. ON NAPA TEAM’S PERFORMANCE: “We continue to have strong showings and I feel like we can go everywhere and do this. So far, things are working as planned. We are going to continue to work hard to get our cars even better. I have been very happy with everything and it’s been great to work with my new teammates. We have all been on the same page and running well. I expect an even stronger showing at Las Vegas especially after we ran so well there and had a shot at winning it last year. I love the track. More importantly, we just need to attack these races one at a time and make sure that we are prepared every weekend. I am patiently waiting to get that next win. We keep getting closer and closer. I really do believe it is a matter of time. We’ll keep digging. I hope a win will come really soon.”
TRUEX ON DUEL RIDE-ALONGS: “I cannot wait to swap rides with Antron. They’ve got two-seaters prepared for us so Antron is going to take me for a spin and then I’ll do the same for him in the NAPA Toyota. I am pretty excited about it. I’ve been talking to NAPA Funny Car driver Ron Capps for quite awhile about doing something like this, but it never has worked out yet. Thanks to CMS and Toyota, I will finally get the chance. I can’t wait to see what it feels like to take a launch in a dragster. I hope Antron will enjoy himself too. We’re two New Jersey boys looking to have a little fun. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
· SPECIAL: NAPA Filters is saluting race fans this month with its March NAPA AUTO PARTS Store promotion. A $19.99 oil change promotion is only $12.99 after a mail-in $7 rebate. It’s a deal you shouldn’t miss and includes a Silver NAPA Filters oil filter and five quarts of Valvoline conventional oil.
· HEADING HOME: Reno, Nevada native Wes Evans is the gas man on the NAPA Toyota. Evans, who is 6’3” and 240 lbs., played college football at Arizona State from 2005 to 2008. He has also performed two citizen arrests putting an end to a drug deal and a burglary.
· NAPA HONORS: NAPA Racing will host the Honorary Pit Crew Member program at Las Vegas. John VanderWerff of Manteca, Calif. is the owner of Honest Automotive. He will be honored in NAPA pre-race festivities and have his name decaled on the No. 56 Toyota.
· CHECK THIS OUT: Visit NAPA Reserve Online at napaonline.com to make shopping for an auto part easier. Order online and pick up at your favorite NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
