MARTIN TRUEX JR.
No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA
CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Martin Truex Jr. has developed a new attitude toward Martinsville Speedway since joining Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010.
Before his MWR arrival, Truex raced on the Virginia half mile eight times with an average finish of 24th.
Since joining MWR, Truex posted two top-five finishes and contended for victory three times behind the wheel of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota.
Truex hopes the statistical trend continues this weekend when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits the historic track.
Martin Truex Jr. On Martinsville: “This race couldn’t happen at a better time for us. We are all rested up thanks to the off weekend. I am up for the challenge that I think Martinsville will create for this new 2013 NAPA Toyota. The track is so much different from any place we race or go to test for that matter. The NAPA team did some testing there towards the end of the 2012 season for Goodyear. My team has a little experience running the newer-style car with less weight but we haven’t been there with the rear camber change. With all that said, I expect it to be different and I think it is going to be one of those deals where we will have to work on the car during the entire weekend as this track changes so much from Friday to Sunday. The key is to keep after the car and hope we can hit on as many good things as possible. I am really looking forward to that challenge. We have had some really good runs there in my NAPA Toyota. I expect that to be the case again.
“California was really the first weekend that my team has struggled so I am not overly concerned with what we need to do or change going into this weekend. We’ve had fast cars all season. We just missed it at California. It happens sometimes. I have a lot of confidence with what we are taking to Martinsville and since joining MWR, I’ve had fast cars at Martinsville. I used to think it was one of my toughest tracks, but since joining MWR, I feel like we’ve always been a contender.”
- AUTOGRAPHS: Truex will sign autographs at the MWR Souvenir Rig on Sunday from 10:10 – 10:25 a.m. Visit the rig to receive a guaranteed autograph ticket!
- TUNE IN: Truex is scheduled to appear Sunday on NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED at 11:45 a.m. Find out about his latest project to help kids and how you can get involved!
- 4th ANNUAL CATWALK FOR A CAUSE: On May 15 at Michael Waltrip Racing, cheer on the kids from Levine Children’s Hospital as they strut the runway to benefit the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s Special Needs Fund at Levine’s! Purchase tickets now at martintruexjrfoundation.org.
· MWR Girls: At Las Vegas, Michael Waltrip Racing announced its new social media and fan engagement models – the MWR Girls. The models will be at track each week to interact with fans and partners and give an inside look at what is going on around the racetrack. Follow the MWR Girls on Twitter – @MWRGirls.
