CORNELIUS, N.C. —
Martin Truex Jr. recalls an
afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway more than 15 years ago when
his father’s race car and the late Dale Earnhardt’s car were parked
nose-to-nose in the Busch
garage. The youngster watched as his favorite NASCAR star worked so
close to his father preparing for the race on the “Magic Mile.” It’s
just one of the memories Truex has from the Loudon, N.H. track that has
played such an important role in his family’s racing
career.
Nearly two decades later, Truex Jr. visits NHMS this weekend hoping to continue his second-half surge in 2011. The No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver led 14 laps
and nearly won Monday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway
before fuel mileage forced
an extra pit stop that spoiled his victory bid. Despite the 18th-place
finish, Truex has scored the 11th most points of any driver in the last
10 races.
Favorite Memory at NHMS:
“They used to run a combination
race with the Busch North and regular Busch Series teams. My dad’s Busch
North car was parked across from Dale Earnhardt’s car. I would watch
him get out of
his car. I even remember him getting up under his car to work on the
carburetor. I was such a big fan of his. To be able to see him up that
close and have my dad’s car right next to his — I thought I was
something. I was only 15 years old. That was a cool
deal and I will never forget it.”
