Even though it’s an exhibition race and a Superspeedway track to boost, Martin Truex Jr. said he had the most fun he’s had in a racecar in the last year and a half.
That fun delivered a second-place finish in Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway and quickly draws the attention of his peers that Furniture Row Racing has come to contend for Budweiser Speedweeks 2015.
“It was awesome,” said Truex, who led the most laps of the night at 28. “I can’t say enough about the guys on the Furniture Row No. 78 team. They gave me one heck of a race car right there. The best car I have ever had here without a doubt. Second sucks, but that is the most fun I have had in a race car in a long long time.”
Truex dated back to his tenure at Michael Waltrip Racing as the last time he had fun, but still that relationship ended on a sour note amidst the “NASCAR Chase scandal” at Richmond International Raceway in September 2013 which ultimately led to Truex’s departure after losing sponsor NAPA and his new endeavor with Furniture Row.
It goes without saying that the highlight though of Truex’s first year of driving the No. 78 Chevrolet for the Denver, Colorado-based team was sitting on the front row of the Daytona 500 last February, alongside Austin Dillon. Aside from that, the season was virtually forgettable.
Outside the racing circle, Truex Jr. also battled his own personal issues, when girlfriend Sherry Pollex was diagnosed with cancer. While Pollex spent much of the second half of the 2014 Cup season at home, Truex Jr. stayed in the seat and fought. Pollex fought too. She was in attendance Saturday night standing alongside Truex during pre-race ceremonies on Valentine’s Day.
“After the year we had last year and then everything that I have been through with Sherry (Pollex, girlfriend) and all. It feels good to come here and run like that. It felt really good.”
With things looking better for the Mayetta, New Jersey native as a whole, the season has barely begun, but Truex and his team seem more prepared and are eager to contend for strong performances and yes, eventually even wins on a more permanent basis.
And even though it’s hard to dictate the path for the rest of the season, Truex, and his team have to be proud of their Saturday night effort. Truex can cling to the momentum he rightfully earned, but the two-time NASCAR XFINITY Series champion refuses to take all the credit.
Cole Pearn deserves some too. Pearn was announced as the new crew chief in December 2014, but Truex said Pearn began nestling into crew chief responsibilities near the end of last season where the team showed slight signs of improvement.
“I thought everything was great,” said Truex of Pearn. “Cole did the last couple races last year so we kind of got our feet wet as far as that goes, as far as him calling the races, kind of getting accustomed to all that stuff.
“Really, it was flawless. I thought he did a great job. He’s been doing this a long time. He worked beside Todd Berrier a long time, was his right hand man. It seems like so far, it’s going well. I know it’s Daytona and its a little bit easier here. The real test will be when we get to places like Atlanta and places like that.
“So far, he’s done a great job of preparing all the racecars and preparing the team. So far, everything has run flawlessly.”
The 34-year old said he learned from Saturday night’s race which could aid him in Sunday’s Daytona 500 group qualifying session. The team elected not to participate during the first practice session and battle issues during the second session with a crack in the oil pan. Luckily, the team was not forced to change engines.
“It was minor issues today,” said Truex of his Daytona 500 ride. “We found the oil pan leaking a little bit. No issues internally with the engine. It should be fine, good to go tomorrow (Sunday).
“Apparently our 500 car they say is better than this one. That’s something to be happy about. They always say that. They always bring a third or fourth best car for the shootout, the Unlimited, then you get out in your 500 car on Thursday for the Duels, you’re like, Damn, that car we had the other night, we should be racing it.”
Time will tell if Truex should actually be racing his Sprint Unlimited car in February 22nd’s Daytona 500, but flexing their muscle early definitely triggers the radar as a team to watch leading into the “Great American Race” and could return the quiet, yet popular driver to victory lane for the first time since June 2013.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
