This weekend is a homecoming of sorts for Martin Truex Jr. in more ways than one. Dover is his home track and the site of his first NASCAR Cup Series win. The 2017 Cup Series champion fought hard against bigger teams early in his career.
While he’s with Joe Gibbs Racing now, Martin Truex Jr. wasn’t always part of the biggest organizations. Racing for Dale Earnhardt Inc. from 2005-2008, it took a while to get going for Truex Jr.
It was that 2007 season when things looked like they were coming together for Truex Jr. in the No. 1 Chevy. The New Jersey native came into Dover, his “home” track and put on a show. It was actually an emotional day for NASCAR as Bill France Jr. died from cancer at 1:00 PM EST during the Autism Speaks 400. It was announced on the PA system at lap 261.
For Martin Truex Jr. it was a dominant performance as he led 216 of 400 laps to beat pole winner Ryan Newman as well as drivers Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth in the top-five.
You can hear the reserved tone in Mike Joy’s voice as he calls such a big win for Truex Jr. on what was a melancholy day for NASCAR.