Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19) starts seventh for Sunday’s USA Today 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo: Josh Jones | The Podium Finish)
LOUDON, N.H. — Of the four tracks comprising the NASCAR Cup Series circuit along the Northeast, perhaps none means more from a sentimental standpoint for Martin Truex Jr. than New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
After all, it was the track where Truex was 0-29 when it came to hoisting Loudon the Lobster. The 2017 Cup champion had eight top fives and 14 top 10s, including a frustrating fourth in 2022 when the Mayetta, New Jersey, native led 172 of 301 laps.
Last year, Truex was the class of the field, starting from second and sweeping both stages. Leading 254 of 301 laps, Truex finally mastered “The Magic Mile” and hoisted the beloved crustacean.
For most, a win at at place like Daytona, Indianapolis or Charlotte would be the icing on the cake. In the case of the 43-year-old racer, it was one of the most special victories for the 34-time Cup race winner.
“It was huge, honestly,” Truex said. “I mean, it’s, no question, one of the one of my biggest wins of my career just because of what it meant to me personally, my family, just that area.
“I’ve been going there for so long and won in East Series back then, one of my first North Series race there and won the Busch Series. And it’s like, ‘OK, now I’m going to go win a Cup race.’ And gosh, it took forever, you know?”
Much like Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip in their quests to win the DAYTONA 500, Truex appreciated the quest and actual destination from his journey. Conquering the 1.058-mile staple nestled about 90 minutes north of Boston was a sweet feeling for the second generation driver.
“It’s not like we weren’t good there,” he said. “We led a ton of laps. We’ve won a ton of stages there. And it’s like something always happened. We just never could finish the deal off. So just to finally get it accomplished was was huge for me.
“It was a big day. It was very gratifying. So proud of that. And to be able to finally bring home that lobster trophy means a ton.”
Martin Truex Jr. recently announced that he would step down from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing, making the 2024 campaign an emotional swan song for his legion of fans. (Photo: Patrick Vallely | The Podium Finish)
Last week during the Iowa Corn 350 race weekend at Iowa Speedway, Truex announced that he would step down from competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Placing 15th, the driver of the No. 19 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry XSE presses forward to make his final full-time season as special as possible.
Starting seventh in Sunday’s USA Today 301 at New Hampshire due to rain canceling Saturday’s qualifying session, Truex understands how this track offers plentiful options to execute passes.
“It’s a tough place and it’s not gotten any easier since then,” Truex said in a team press release. “The older it gets, the harder it gets. Last year, we saw the track be very different than it’s ever been before. You would always run that second lane and a little bit the third one and sometimes lane one, but at the end of the race last year, we were running the fourth and fifth lanes.
“It was just crazy to see how that old asphalt in the corner came in during the race. It’s a very challenging and unique track, it’s got those seams in between each lane that can make your life miserable in the car if you hit those wrong. It’s crazy how it will change your car and mess up your lap.”
Ask any driver about the intangibles with attacking this unique circuit surrounded by picturesque scenery in the Granite State. Like most drivers, Truex observes how it has become bumpier thanks to the four distinct seasons in New England aging the blacktop.
Martin Truex Jr. smiles even after a rain shorted practice session ahead of Sunday’s USA Today 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo: Josh Jones | The Podium Finish)
“It’s a very technical track and it’s gotten bumpy over the years as well,” he said. “It’s flat, has a fast entry and not a lot of grip. New Hampshire is a real challenge but it’s a lot of fun when you get it right. I know all our guys will be ready with our Reser’s Fine Foods Camry this weekend.”
For what it is worth, some tease Truex that he enjoys racing on Mondays as he has won rain delayed races in the past, including last year’s 301-lap race. Regardless, whatever day of the week it is, when the money is on the line, Martin Lee Truex Jr. would not mind winning on a traditional Sunday afternoon, if he had it his way.
“I don’t really care what day of the week it is,” Truex said. “A win’s a win, right? So yeah, Mondays have definitely been good for us, no question. I think it’d be good to win on Sunday, too.”
