MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Kansas Speedway
CORNELIUS, N.C. – No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. is at Phoenix International Raceway this week testing the newly-reconfigured and repaved track. PIR changed the banking and the configuration to produce more side-by-side racing when the Sprint Cup Series returns to race on Nov. 13.
After Tuesday and Wednesday’s Phoenix test, the NAPA team takes off for Kansas Speedway for Sunday’s 400-mile race. Truex believes the 1.5-mile track is one of the toughest on the NASCAR circuit and he’ll be leaning on crew chief Chad Johnston to put the right combination together to ensure a strong run on Sunday.
Martin Truex Jr. on Testing at Phoenix: “We’ve run a few laps so far and it’s a real challenge. I’m glad we’ve got two days to focus on this place. It’s a slick track and I’m not expecting it to change much when we return next month. Right now we’re trying to find the right balance and I’m looking for more grip. What we’re experiencing is pretty typical when we visit a new place like this. I’m looking forward to the race and I hope we are able to put on the show that everyone is expecting.”
Racing a Second Time at Kansas: “Kansas is a difficult track to get a hold of. It reminds me a lot of Chicagoland Speedway in the layout and the way that it drives. Chad wasn’t my crew chief when we raced here June, so he’ll have the balance of the car and race strategy to focus on. He’s been doing a great job for me, so I look forward to working with him there. The thing about Kansas is a lot of those tar strips in the asphalt and between each lane, I think there are four or five of them, get slick when the sun comes out. The problem there is you have to cross over them when you get into and out of a corner. They create a big challenge. Kansas is just a hard place to get the balance of the car right and then have it drive decent across those strips. It’s a tricky place. It’s really changed a lot over the years. It’s lost a lot of its grip because of the harsh winters that are out there. I heard they might repave it, but honestly, I think it’s in good shape. It doesn’t need it.”
NOTES
. MWR Press Conference: Michael Waltrip Racing will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kansas Speedway media center and a car unveiling in the adjacent Sprint Fan Walk.
. Waltrip & Truex on NASCAR Race Day: Waltrip and Truex will appear live on Sunday’s edition of NASCAR Race Day on SPEED. They will be on at 11:15 a.m. ET to discuss their most recent NAPA Knows How to Care project.
. Sunday’s race marks Truex’s 219th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. In six Cup starts at Kansas, he has one top 15 and four top 20 finishes. His average start is 15th and finish is 25th.
. 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.
Broadcast
P1 12:30 p.m. ESPN 2
Qual 5 p.m. ESPN2
P2 12:30 p.m. SPEED
HH 1:30 p.m. SPEED
Date Sunday Oct. 9
Race 2 p.m. ESPN
