Martin Truex Jr. California Preview

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Martin Truex Jr. is coming off his career-best finish in the Daytona 500 with a sixth-place showing in his No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. Now, he heads to the Auto Club Speedway for the running of the Auto Club 500 presented by NAPA AUTO PARTS. It’s all about keeping the momentum going into the second event of the season and that’s exactly what he and crew chief Pat Tryson have planned.

QUOTES

TRUEX ON KEYS TO RUNNING WELL AT FONTANA: “I think California is a difficult track. It is very fast, yet it doesn’t have a lot of banking. It is getting kind of worn out so it is a challenge to get the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota to stick good. It is hard to get the car to turn well, but still
be able to get the power down off the corner. The key is just getting your car to turn well, but still be able to get the power down.”

TRUEX ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING A GOOD STARTING POSITION: “Qualifying is always important to me. At a track like the Auto Club Speedway, it is so big and fast. The field tends to get strung out so qualifying up front definitely makes your job easier. Usually if you are fast in qualifying, you can get it in the race also. It is definitely a good thing to qualifying up front there.”

TRUEX ON THE START OF THE SEASON WITH HIS NEW NAPA TEAM: “I am extremely proud and excited about coming out of Daytona with the results we had. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. From the first test, working together with Pat Tryson, I knew we were going to be good. He is a pleasure to work with. He really takes his job seriously, and yet, he likes to have fun. I think the guys on the NAPA team really look up to him because of his experience and knowledge. He is respected and it goes a long way with everyone. For me, I just try and do the best job I can. As far as the communication and getting along with Pat and all that other stuff that goes along with the relationship, it came really easy. Hopefully, we can continue on what we started and win some races.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST

• The driver of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota will be competing in his 155th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when the second event of the 2010 Sprint Cup season, the Auto Club 500 presented by NAPA AUTO PARTS, gets underway at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Sunday.

• He will be starting in his ninth race in Fontana. His best start is fifth (Sept. 3, 2006, Oct. 11, 2009) and best finish is sixth (Sept. 2, 2007, Feb. 25, 2008). During his career, Truex has earned two top–10 and six top-15 finishes at the Auto Club Speedway. His average start is 13th and his average finish is 19th.

• In Nationwide Series competition, Truex has driven in four events at Auto Club Speedway. His best start is second (May 1, 2004, Sept. 4, 2004) and best finish is sixth (Sept. 4, 2004). During his career, Truex has earned one top–10 and three top-15 finishes. His average start is sixth and his average finish is 16th.

• Monte Carlo Resort & Casino will host a No Limit Texas Hold ‘em event to benefit the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation on Feb. 25 at noon in Las Vegas, NV. NAPA Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. will be in attendance. Participation is open to the public. Proceeds to benefit the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and its ongoing mission of helping children in need. For details visit: www.martintruexjrfoundation.org