Truex Feeling Confident

Despite a rough finish at Pocono, Martin Truex Jr. is on a bit of a roll.  Coming off one of the most dominate performances seen in the Sprint Cup Series in some time, Truex fought thru some early front end damage to his #78 Furniture Row Toyota and could only manage a 19^th place finish Monday during the running of the Axalta We Paint Winners 400 at Pocono Raceway.  Truex and Matt DeBenedetto collided on pit road during the competition caution causing Truex to scramble all day just to salvage a top 20 finish at a track where he had won just one year ago.

With a victory under his belt and a place in the Sprint Cup Chase all but guaranteed Truex is in a position to take chances, sacrificing points to increase his chances of adding additional wins.  “From here until the point when the Chase starts it’s all about wins.  If we can gamble and have a better opportunity to win I’m sure we’ll do that”, Truex said prior to Monday's race.

Truex, who just a couple seasons ago lost his ride with Michael Waltrip Racing and signed on to a single car team, Front Row Motorsports.  It’s been a marriage made in heaven.  “First I have to give credit to the tem.  For me, I’m different.  I’m doing things different.  I feel I’m a better driver than I’ve ever been,” Truex said.

“We have a great team”, Truex continued.  “You’ve got to have it all to compete at this leval against these other driver.”

In an era when the big four teams, Gibbs, Hendrick, Stewart-Haas, and Penske, have dominated the winners circle, the Furniture Row Racing team has been the only other team to put their car in victory lane during the 64 races.  It was unheard of for a single car team to win at this level but this team has been every bit as competitive as any team in the big four the last two seasons.  Truex, like most Sprint Cup drivers, is quick to credit his team for its success but its Truex who might be the biggest reason for his rise to the top.

After a sluggish 2011 inaugural season, Truex seemed to hit the reset button, and has been among the leaders week after week.  His two most recent victories, last year at Pocono and this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been two of the most popular wins among fans and fellow drivers alike.  Truex is well respected in the garage and has become one of NASCAR’s stars.  Absolutely incredible for an underdog one car team.

The #78 Toyota has led the most laps 4 different times this season.  Truex, born in Trenton, New Jersey made his mark in the Xfinity Series (then Busch), winning that circuits Championship twice, in 2004 and 2005.  In 2012 he again found that touch that produced those championship seasons.

The Furniture Row Racing team has a shared agreement with the Gibbs Racing team.  This can do nothing but help Truex in his drive for a Sprint Cup Championship. 

“Looking forward to moving forward and getting some more (wins)”, Truex said.

 If I were a betting man I would not bet against the 78 team visiting the winners circle at a track near you very soon.

Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday mornings at 8:30 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR.  You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante.