CORNELIUS, N.C.— No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Martin Truex Jr. is coming off two consecutive top-10 performances. This week in Charlotte, N.C., it’s all about bragging rights. The NAPA KNOW HOW Pit Crew competes in the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Then the Michael Waltrip Racing driver looks to defend his Sprint Showdown victory and transfer into the Sprint All-Star race on Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Last year, Truex contended for the $1 million pay day by finishing second.
NAPA KNOW HOW PIT CREW FOR PIT CREW CHALLENGE
Front Changer Cory Quick
Front Carrier Craig Curione
Jack Man Brian Chase
Rear Changer Shannon Myers
Rear Carrier Mark Kennerly
Gas Man Doug Newell
2nd gas man Eric Maycroft
QUOTES
MARTIN TRUEX JR. THOUGHTS ON DEFENDING SPRINT SHOWDOWN: “I’m hoping the tide has turned a little after the last two weeks and it stays that way. I’m looking forward to Saturday night and laying everything on the line. There is nothing to lose. I always look forward to this weekend with the Sprint Pit Crew competition and All-Star race. It’s all about having fun. I like not having to worry about points. We’re racing in the Showdown and we’re the defending champs. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. The NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota has been running really well and I think we have a good shot at the repeat. Last year we ran second in the All-Star race. I think if we would have had an extra lap or two, it would have been our race and we wouldn’t be sitting here having to race our way in. I’m hoping this will be our year.
“This event is so much fun because it’s like a home game for us. Many of the guys at the shop who don’t go on the road — it’s their time to go to the track and enjoy all the hard work they’ve put in. For drivers, since there are no points, anything can happen because everyone wants to be in the race including me. We run 110 percent every lap. We’ve got nothing to lose. It’s not fun sitting at home watching the All-Star race. It’s devastating. We’re going to focus on qualifying to get a good start spot. Then it’s about getting up front and staying there. It’s always fun for us and the fans. I’m just glad to be apart of it.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
· Michael Waltrip Racing will hold its annual Fan Day on May 25 in Cornelius, N.C. Truex will sign autographs starting 5:30 p.m. Michael Waltrip along with David Reutimann, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Truex and Brett Moffitt will also be in attendance. Visit: www.michaelwaltrip.com for event details.
· The driver of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota has earned starting positions in the Sprint All-Star race all three ways — The Fan Vote (2006), the Sprint Showdown (2007, 2010) and a Sprint Cup victory (2008, Dover 2007).
· NAPA Racing will host Honorary Pit Crew Member Robert Edmunds. He is the district manager of Firestone overseeing operations in both North and South Carolina. He will be honored in NAPA pre-race festivities and have his name decaled on the No. 56 Toyota.
· Check out NAPA Reserve Online. Visit www.napaonline.com to make shopping for an auto part easier. Order online and pick up at your favorite NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
