MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. considers New Hampshire Motor Speedway his home track. It’s been good to his family. Five times a Truex has crossed the finish line first in one of NASCAR’s major divisions. The NAPA driver owns three victories at the “Magic Mile.” He won the 2000 and 2003 K&N Pro Series East races and the 2005 Nationwide Series race. Martin Truex Sr. won the 1994 East race and Martin Jr.’s younger brother Ryan repeated that feat in 2010.
This season Truex has come close to victory several times and believes a sixth win for the family is very possible on Sunday at NHMS in the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 Toyota.
Martin Truex Jr. on New Hampshire Motor Speedway: “A lot of people assume I consider Dover my home track. But I believe Loudon is. It may be further from New Jersey, but I grew up going to the track with my dad. I watched him race there a lot. Then I started racing in the Busch North Series and we raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway four times a year. I’ve actually logged more laps at Loudon than at Dover. I have a lot of experience at New Hampshire. I’ve won a bunch of races. I have a lot of great memories there. It’s a home track for me. It’s a place I really enjoy going to and it would mean a lot to me to be able to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event there.”
On His Chances for Victory: “I have enjoyed going to all the races this year because I feel I have had a legitimate shot at winning at each one. New Hampshire is no different. My NAPA team is doing a great job at preparing fast Toyotas for me. This track is a place for the past two years that has created a little bit of a challenge for Michael Waltrip Racing. I am very interested in seeing what package (crew chief) Chad (Johnston) has put together for me and how well it runs. I think this race is going to be quite a bit different from what we’ve seen there over the past few seasons. I believe Goodyear is bringing a new tire. I anticipate the tires wearing out and being a real important factor in Sunday’s race. I am looking forward to putting on a good show in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota.”
On The Points Situation: “I am not in a position yet where I feel like I can breathe easy. We may have more than a 40-point pad right now, but you can never relax in the Cup series. The points are what they are. The last four weeks we’ve been involved in accidents that have cost us points. That is just the way things go. I still think we are still in a good position. We are competitive each week. Our NAPA Toyotas have run well. We just need to do the best job we can and not worry about the points. I feel good about it. I feel like we can work our way through it. I think we are a top-five caliber team right now, but with the crashes, we are a little bit back right now. Hopefully we will get a win before the Chase starts.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
· TRUEX MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Truex will be joined by his brother Ryan in the NHMS media center on Saturday at 12:45 p.m.
· NAPA GIVES BACK: During July, NAPA customers will receive up to a $25 mail-in rebate for every battery, alternator, and starter they purchase, which they can donate all or a portion of their rebate to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Additionally, NAPA will donate $1 to the IFHF for each redeemed rebate and $2 for each battery installed at a participating NAPA AutoCare Center or repair center.
· 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.
