DENVER (Oct. 15, 2014) – Will it be a morale booster or a morale buster?
That’s the $64,000 question for 43 of the best stock car drivers as they approach Sunday’s Geico 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
For Martin Truex Jr., who has been on a mini roll since the Chase playoffs began five races ago, is hoping that it’s the former, but the Furniture Row Racing driver knows all too well about the potential pitfalls of NASCAR’s largest track (2.66 miles).
“There’s been a lot of talk about Talladega recently, but the bottom line is that we’ve all been there before and know what that track is capable of doing,” noted Truex, driver of the No. 78 Chevrolet SS. “There’s not much more that can be said about Talladega that already hasn’t been said.
“ ‘Dega is ‘Dega — nothing to my knowledge has changed there. It can be a clean race on Sunday or it can be a major wreck-fest. Being in the right place at the right time near the end is key to having success at Talladega. A lot easier said than done.”
Truex, who ranks sixth for driver points accumulated since the start of the Chase, has run the gamut during his 19-race Cup career at Talladega. He has scored one top five, six top 10s and has been involved in seven crashes.
“You roll the dice at Talladega and hope for the best,” said Truex. “I am confident that our Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet will have the speed to tackle Talladega’s big track, but no matter how fast you are, you’re going to need some luck.”
Regarding his recent surge, Truex feels his single-car team has made some big gains as it prepares for the 2015 season.
“We were disappointed with our result last week at Charlotte (14th), but the past five races have been encouraging for our Furniture Row team,” explained the 33-year-old Truex. “It’s all about getting ready for next year and so far so good. We’re all on the same page, knowing that we still have a ways to go.”
Furniture Row Racing Traveling Crew, 2014
No. 78 Over-the-Wall Crew
Front-tire changer
Terry Spalding, Troy, Pa.
Front-tire carrier
Craig Curione, Sanborn, N.Y.
Rear-tire changer
Kyle Turner, Richmond, Va.
Rear-tire carrier
Adam Mosher, Fort Mill, S.C.
Jackman
David O’Dell, Springfield, Ill.
Gasman
Brian Dheel, Akron, Ohio
No. 78 Road Crew
General Manager
Joe Garone, Denver, Colo.
Crew Chief
Todd Berrier, Kernersville, N.C.
Competition Director
Pete Rondeau, Saco, Maine
Car Chief
Blake Harris, Maypearl, Texas
Engineers
Cole Pearn, London, Ontario
Matt Faulkner, Collierville, Tenn.
Spotter
Clayton Hughes, Thomasville, N.C.
Engine Specialist
Craig Griffiths, Thomasville, N.C.
Engine Builder
Earnhardt-Childress Racing
Shock Specialist
Nick Kerlin, Old Fort, Ohio
Tire Specialist
Chad Krauch, Loveland, Colo.
Technical Support
Michael McCullough, Imperial, Calif.
Mechanic
Gary Frost, Romeo, Mich.
Transportation
Henry Benfield (also gas runner), Statesville, N.C.
Jim Gilbert, Belleville, IL.
Chuck Lemay, DeKalb, IL, Chris Burton, Cincinnati, Rocki Lohnes, Denver
