-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Sprint Cup
CUP: Martin Truex Jr. Closes Strong Season
Michael Waltrip Racing driver scored his third top-five finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 At Homestead-Miami Speedway...
Martin Truex Jr. had a solid day in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)
Martin Truex Jr. finished third in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and there might never be a more overlooked third-place run in NASCAR history.
After all, no one has ever finished behind the top two Chase contenders who finished the season in a tie.
“We were no match for Carl or Tony tonight, but we were a solid third‑place car, and for us, that was a good day,” Truex said after finishing behind race winner Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.
As chagrined as Truex might be to have his run become a footnote in the history books, the night marked another step in a strong season-ending run for the 31-year-old driver and his team.
It marked only the third top-five of the season – he finished second at Bristol in August and fourth at Watkins Glen – and the team’s fourth top-10 in the last five races.
All this has come despite the fact that Chad Johnston, his crew chief since June, was at home, serving a four-race suspension after NASCAR found an illegal windshield on the No. 56 at Talladega.
“We have ended the season on a strong note. We kind of took a step back there at Talladega with the windshield and penalties and all the stuff that came with that, and rebounded nicely without my normal crew chief being here.”
One steadying factor has been Scott Miller, Michael Waltrip Racing’s new competition director. Miller left Richard Childress Racing for MWR in early November and quickly stepped in as interim crew chief for Truex. He’s been good atop the pit box but he’s also making waves in the shop.
“Scott Miller coming over to be our competition director is definitely going to help us,” Truex said. “It's a position that we really have not had for most of the season. Nobody has been in that position.”
As he gets ready for this third full season with MWR, Truex is optimistic the team will turn the corner.
“I'm excited. I think obviously we are still a young team. Rob [Kauffman, co-owner of MWR] and Michael [Waltrip] and everybody at MWR, they have put a lot into this,” Truex said. “Especially throughout the mid-part of this season, that we really went to work on our aero program, our chassis program, put a lot of effort into making our stuff better with the help of TRD and all of the people there and the folks at Toyota.
“They have put a lot into it and it’s paid off for us. I feel like our stuff is getting better.”
Truex led once for five laps and the third-place finish pushed him up five spots in the final points standings, to 18th.
SceneDaily.com • Carl Edwards takes solace in fact he just got flat-out beat for title
After all, no one has ever finished behind the top two Chase contenders who finished the season in a tie.
“We were no match for Carl or Tony tonight, but we were a solid third‑place car, and for us, that was a good day,” Truex said after finishing behind race winner Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.
As chagrined as Truex might be to have his run become a footnote in the history books, the night marked another step in a strong season-ending run for the 31-year-old driver and his team.
It marked only the third top-five of the season – he finished second at Bristol in August and fourth at Watkins Glen – and the team’s fourth top-10 in the last five races.
All this has come despite the fact that Chad Johnston, his crew chief since June, was at home, serving a four-race suspension after NASCAR found an illegal windshield on the No. 56 at Talladega.
“We have ended the season on a strong note. We kind of took a step back there at Talladega with the windshield and penalties and all the stuff that came with that, and rebounded nicely without my normal crew chief being here.”
One steadying factor has been Scott Miller, Michael Waltrip Racing’s new competition director. Miller left Richard Childress Racing for MWR in early November and quickly stepped in as interim crew chief for Truex. He’s been good atop the pit box but he’s also making waves in the shop.
“Scott Miller coming over to be our competition director is definitely going to help us,” Truex said. “It's a position that we really have not had for most of the season. Nobody has been in that position.”
As he gets ready for this third full season with MWR, Truex is optimistic the team will turn the corner.
“I'm excited. I think obviously we are still a young team. Rob [Kauffman, co-owner of MWR] and Michael [Waltrip] and everybody at MWR, they have put a lot into this,” Truex said. “Especially throughout the mid-part of this season, that we really went to work on our aero program, our chassis program, put a lot of effort into making our stuff better with the help of TRD and all of the people there and the folks at Toyota.
“They have put a lot into it and it’s paid off for us. I feel like our stuff is getting better.”
Truex led once for five laps and the third-place finish pushed him up five spots in the final points standings, to 18th.
SceneDaily.com • Carl Edwards takes solace in fact he just got flat-out beat for title
Shake and Bake: Recent Posts
-
Last Lap: Kyle Busch Makes History At Charlotte Motor Speedway »
-
Charlotte Motor Speedway President Marcus Smith Dishes Out the Goods »
-
NASCAR Teams Lend Helping Hand To Oklahoma Tornado Victims »
-
Singer Chelsea Bain's Dad Loves Her Music, Doesn't Love Her Choice Of Clothing »
-
Mr. E Would Rather Watch Soap Operas & Teletubbies Than 4 Hours Of Single-File Racing (Video) »
-
Krash Kab Invades Darlington With Jimmy Spencer And Monica Palumbo (Video) »
-
Sebastian Vettel's Monaco GP Helmet Has A Nearly Naked Pinup Girl »
-
Last Lap: Despite Struggles, Danica Patrick Unlikely To Return To IndyCar »
2013 All Star Race
LATEST HEADLINES: NASCAR
-
NNS: Kyle Busch Scores Again
Kyle Busch registers his sixth Nationwide win of the season…… -
CUP: Saturday Charlotte Notebook (UPDATE 10)
Kyle Busch won the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway... -
CUP: France – Schedule Good As It Is
NASCAR chairman Brian France says he prefers fall race to stay in… -
CUP: Keselowski Still Confident Despite Slump
Brad Keselowski is seventh in points heading into the Coca-Cola 600…… -
HAMMOND: 600-Mile Race Will Tax Drivers, Equipment
I expect we will see a lot of green-flag runs Sunday, making for… -
CUP: Menards Signs Renewal With RCR
Multi-year partnership renewal was announced today... -
CUP: Man On A Mission
Denny Hamlin going all out in pursuit of a shot at the championship…… - More News
