AVONDALE, Ariz. (March 13, 2016) — Martin Truex Jr. posted a 14th-place finish in Sunday’s Good Sam Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Driving the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, Truex got off to a solid start, but struggled with the handling as the 312-lap race wore on at the 1-mile oval.
Starting eighth, Truex maintained his track position when the first caution flag waved on Lap 51. Though he had handling issues on ensuing restarts, he managed to keep his Toyota in or close to the top-10. But not having the right amount of grip eventually caught up to the No. 78 car.
When the final caution came out on Lap 307, Truex was positioned in 13th place. He was called down pit road for two right-side tires. He restarted 11th for the green-white-checkered finish, but got stuck in traffic, which cost him a few positions.
“Our Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota was never the same after the first pit stop,” explained Truex. “From that point on we couldn’t get going to overcome some of the slick turns. We had a shot at the end to gain a few spots when the caution came out for a green-white-checkered finish but got bottled up in traffic.”
After four races, Truex is ranked ninth in the Sprint Cup driver point standings.
The race winner — by 0.010 seconds — was Kevin Harvick. Rounding out the top-10 in order were: Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney.
The race had seven lead changes among four drivers and there were five cautions for 30 laps.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is Sunday March 20 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
