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[/media-credit]TOYOTA NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) Ryan Truex — Notes & Quotes Dover International Speedway – June 1, 2012
RYAN TRUEX, No. 20 Grime Boss Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Are you looking forward to racing at Dover this weekend? “As everyone knows, this is one of my favorite places to be. It’s my home track, probably an hour-and-a-half from where I grew up. I always grew up coming and watching races here, watching my brother race here and watched him win his first Cup race and everything. I’ve always liked this track. I’ve only been up here on this little stage twice, and both times I won a championship (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East), so I’ve had a pretty good run here. Last year I came here with Michael Waltrip Racing, ran really good and ran out of gas and ended up 18th, but our finish doesn’t show where we ran — we ran pretty much top-10, top-five the whole day. Came back with the Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) car and ran third the whole day. I think we can improve two more spots this weekend. Me and Matt Lucas (crew chief) have been getting together great, the whole 20 team over at JGR. We had a really good run at Bristol, should have probably finished better than 10th, but can’t complain with 10th. Led a lap at Talladega, ran up front all day at Talladega and just ready to go out here and get back to it.”
How are you able to race so soon after an appendectomy? “When I was laying there in the hospital bed, I guess it was last Monday (May 21) night, I didn’t think there was any way I’d be able to race. I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to get surgery because I really wanted to race Dover. Even after surgery, I was laying there thinking there was no way I’ll be ready by Dover. The doctor said come back next week and we’ll see how you’re doing and for some reason I just healed up quickly and by this Tuesday or Wednesday morning (May 30) when I went to see him, he said everything was good. I was feeling good. Now I’m pretty much back to 100 percent. I was lucky that I caught it early and that I was able to heal quickly.”
Are you feeling any pain since the surgery? “Well, for a few days there I couldn’t really do anything. I was kind of stuck in my bed. I don’t have any pain now. My stitches are all gone. Nothing — my stomach looks a little strange, but other than that, I’m pretty much 100 percent. I have no pain and I should be good — I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be alright.”
Is there a backup driver in case you can’t compete on Saturday? “No, there’s no one, it’s just me. The plan was if I couldn’t race, my brother was going to race it. There was no way I was allowing that. I knew if he got in the car, he’d win and he’s already won here in a Nationwide car, it’s my turn.”
Did your doctor give you any warnings about racing after your surgery? “I can’t — if I hit the wall, I hit the wall. There’s nothing I can do about it. He cleared me to race and hitting the wall is part of it.”
What did your doctor check for to clear you to race this weekend? “He had to make sure that all the stitches were healed up, all the incisions and everything were good. Basically asked me if I was in pain, pushed on my stomach and a few other things. Nothing real intense or lengthy or any weird stuff. He just basically said if you’re feeling alright, if this doesn’t hurt and this doesn’t hurt and you can do this and this, then you’ll be alright. I healed quickly for whatever reason. I guess I just lucked out.”
