For the fifth time this season a driver in the Monster Energy Cup Series Swept the race stages and win. The other drivers to do it…Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. The year of the “Big 3” continues after a night of total domination for Truex.
After securing the pole in qualifying, Truex said he still wasn’t sure if they were the best car, many believe that was Ryan Blaney.
After finishing second tonight in Kentucky, Blaney said he didn’t feel frustrated in trying to chase down Truex. I’m frustrated I didn’t win, of course. But he (Truex was just a little bit better than us tonight. Keselowski who finished third said after the race. “We’re almost there, it’s like that last little bit of the hill, and it’s the hardest part to get passed.
For Truex, this win now put’s him solidly in that top 3, and this domination at Kentucky may even put Truex at the top of the heap in contention for a repeat championship. Cole Pearn said after the race in regards to the continued improvement of the team that they have just found and worked through minor details that have continued to improve the team. “We are just making sure we keep moving in the right direction.
Domination…
Truex led five times for 174 laps, leaving time out front for green flag pit stop changes for the lead.
The No. 78 car was fast off the trailer according to Truex, but they didn’t want to do to much as they knew the track would change, just going off of last year. “We only made one qualifying run, and it wasn’t even a good one. But, we went out and won the pole.” He says the team was able to make really good adjustments and put out a fast car”
After the race Truex was asked about being comparable to where the team was last season. “We are certainly getting closer to where we were last year.” He added that this race at Kentucky was probably the most complete race that the team has put together all season.
We had to do a lot of work, and made a lot of really good changes. This track changed more from practice to race than any race since the repave. It was dramatic changes.
Cole Pearn said earlier that the team is working great together, and Truex added that they have 70 people on the team “That’s a guess”. But, if one of those guys makes a mistake, we don’t win. Everything is just working together.
Truex and the No. 78 team will go for their first ever back to back race win next weekend in Loudon. A track that Truex says is really good for him, “We just need to figure out how to finish the final 50-75 laps.
