Martin Truex Jr. is not singing but he’s stoked about his latest feat at New Hampshire. (Photo: Josh Jones | The Podium Finish)
Martin Truex Jr.’s pursuit of his first NASCAR Cup Series win at New Hampshire may not be as documented as the late Dale Earnhardt’s bid for a Daytona 500 win prior to 1998.
However, his pursuit of a Magic Mile victory has been an exercise in patience. Heading into Sunday’s Ambetter 301, the 2017 Cup champion is 0 for 28 with a pole (2017), three podiums, seven top five and 13 top 10s.
Certainly, Truex is working ardently to change his fortunes at the 1.058-mile track. After posting the fifth fastest overall time and eighth quickest 10 lap average in practice, he tallied the only sub 30 second time in qualifying (29.964 seconds/127.113 mph).
As a result, Truex earned his first pole of 2022 and second career pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. While his No. 19 Toyota Camry does not adorn the usual black and orange Bass Pro Shops colors, he seems to be lightning fast in his distinct bright green Interstate Batteries livery.
All things considered, Truex, a consistent race and championship contender, is in the midst of an enigmatic year. Despite ranking sixth in the regular season standings, he’s in a precarious 15th position with the provision Playoff standings.
With 13 different winners after 19 races, a consistent effort is not enough in today’s Cup ranks. The Next Gen Cup car leveled the playing field to a point where veterans like Truex, with savvy and experience, have to keep their wits about them against the youthful competition.
On Saturday afternoon, Truex celebrated a small but meaningful achievement with their pole award run.
Truex was better than grease lightning fast at “The Magic Mile.” (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
“Well, you always wanna be the fastest guy whether it’s practice, qualifying or the race,” Truex said. “And we got a small victory today. So victories are all good and hopefully we can make it work for us tomorrow, which is obviously a lot more important. It always is when I come here.”
It can be said that most Northeast tracks are like homecomings for Truex. His father won a regional race in 1994 while he duplicated his father’s achievement in 2000 and 2003.
Undoubtedly, Truex cherishes New Hampshire as he reflected on his family’s wins at this track.
“I remember feeling… I was amazed that it happened. I think back then, that was the first race that I really even challenged to win or was fast enough to win,” he recalled. “We showed up here that weekend with a new car and sat on the pole and was really fast from practice and we led every lap of that race. And I remember just thinking like I didn’t even feel like I belonged in that series yet at that point in time.
“So it was only like my sixth or seventh race of the season, my first year running stock cars and winning the biggest race of the year, which was always here at Loudon. So, it was amazing. And this track has had a lot to do with why I was able to go on and move south and race for a living up until now. So, I love coming here and we’ve really been trying hard for a lot of years to get the first Cup race win here. And hopefully, tomorrow’s the day.”
Memories and nostalgia can do wonders for the soul. Aside from his 2017 Cup title, nothing will be quite as sweet, on the racing side of things, for Truex as a win at this storied venue.
Perhaps Truex ends his frustrating bid for a win at New Hampshire on Sunday. (Photo: Josh Jones | The Podium Finish)
“I think the Cup race here has been one that’s alluded us,” he observed. “We’ve led a ton of laps. I don’t know how many, but it’s gotta be more than anybody who hasn’t won it. I mean, a ton of laps and won stages and done everything but lead the last lap here. So, I don’t know. Sometimes you want certain things so much that they just they’re really, really hard to come by.”
Ultimately, while Truex’s search for a Loudon Cup win dates back to 2006, he realizes there’s no time like the present, particularly with his unmistakable, fast Camry.
“We’ve certainly been good enough to win here, but hopefully tomorrow we can put it all together,” Truex said. “It’s gonna be a tough race. Track position’s gonna be important. Pit stops, all those things, and finding a way to be good those last 50 laps of the race is what we’ve not figured out yet. And hopefully tomorrow we can figure that out.”
Editor/Author’s Notes
Nathan Solomon contributed to this feature on-site from New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.
