Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Martin Truex Jr. was unable to close out the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend, despite having the dominant car. He led a race-high 233 laps, but finished third when he could not reel in race-winner Austin Dillon and runner-up Kyle Busch in the final stage.
Still, Truex’s performance contained a silver lining. He vaulted himself to the top of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings where he now leads runner-up Kyle Larson by five points. He also added his series-best 16th playoff point via his Stage 2 win.
Truex will attempt to add to his points advantage in Sunday’s AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway (1 p.m. ET on FS1) – his home track. The No. 78 Toyota driver grew up in Mayetta, New Jersey, an ocean town 130 miles northeast of the oval known as the Monster Mile. He won the latest race held at Dover last October.
“Finishing third in Charlotte was bittersweet,” said Truex. “I felt we had a good shot at winning that race. But it’s nice to be the points leader, a tribute to everyone at Furniture Row Racing for their commitment to be the best. We want to keep that ranking, and right now all focus is on this week at one of my favorite tracks. I feel very comfortable on the Dover track and we have run well there since I joined Furniture Row Racing.”
In 22 career starts at Dover, Truex claims two wins and 11 top-ten finishes. He’s dominated the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series statistical categories this year, leading the circuit in not only points but wins (2, tied), stage wins (6), average running position (7.3), fastest laps run (403) and laps led (769).
“All year the guys have been bringing fast cars to the track,” Truex said. “I don’t see why that should change this weekend with our Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Toyota. It’s been a lot of fun coming to the racetrack week in and week out knowing that you’re going to have a shot of being in contention for a win. … Just can’t say enough about Cole (Pearn, crew chief), his engineering staff, the guys on the road and back at the shop in Denver. They keep on delivering competitive race cars.”