When Martin Truex Jr. began discussing a deal to compete within the Daytona 500, he had a singular request: May he drive the No. 56?
It was a powerful sure from Tricon Storage, and the choice has turn out to be much more particular for Truex within the weeks since.
A day after Truex formally introduced his entry into “The Nice American Race,” his father died unexpectedly at age 66. Truex Sr. drove the No. 56 for a lot of his racing profession, which included 15 begins within the second-tier Xfinity Series and 135 begins within the ARCA Collection within the Nineties.
“It most likely means extra. It most likely hits house extra with me of simply what it means to us and our household,” mentioned Truex Jr., who drove the No. 56 for 4 seasons (2010-13) at Michael Waltrip Racing. “Lots of people are going to be excited to see it on the market.”
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It could be most emotional for the Truex household, particularly Martin and youthful brother Ryan.
“Every thing I’ve ever discovered was from him,” Martin mentioned. “He was my hero rising up and nonetheless is. He made a whole lot of issues occur for me. Taught me a whole lot of issues with racing and actually the chance to get right here and what I’ve completed is all due to him and his sacrifices. Hopefully, we’ll go win this factor for him on Sunday.”
It could be the final word tribute. And nobody ought to rely Truex out regardless that he is winless in 39 begins at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Truex has the longest energetic dropping streak within the Daytona 500, having didn’t win in 20 begins.
However he got here shut in 2016, developing inches wanting Denny Hamlin within the closest end within the historical past of “The Nice American Race.”
Truex hasn’t been practically as shut since, though he has completed within the prime 15 in every of the final three years. These got here whereas driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
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The 2017 Cup Collection champion retired from full-time racing on the finish of final season however selected to do a one-off occasion with Tricon in hopes of lastly successful the five hundred. They nonetheless have an alliance with JGR.
“Within the grand scheme of issues, that is most likely the best one to do so far as being a driver in a sequence,” Truex mentioned. “You could not do a one-off and go to Richmond or Dover or someplace and count on to have an opportunity to win, actually. It is simply probably not possible. … Speedway racing is the perfect alternative to return out and have a real shot at successful.
“That is why guys do it. That is why I needed to do it and particularly as a result of it is the Daytona 500. It is such a giant race. It is such a giant deal.”
[Read more: FOX Super 6 NASCAR contest: Bob Pockrass’ Daytona 500 picks, predictions]
It may very well be Truex’s ultimate likelihood. And what a feat it might be to win the Daytona 500 in his twenty first strive a month after his dad’s demise and driving a automotive quantity that evokes reminiscences for his household.
“We’ve pretty much as good a shot to win as anybody to win,” Truex mentioned. “If you happen to’re in it, you’ll be able to win it. I’ve at all times mentioned that. Certainly one of lately I’ll be proper about it.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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