NSCS: Martin Truex Jr. Looks To Better Last Year’s Results

To say that Martin Truex Jr. didn’t have the 2014 year that he was looking for is a statement with certainty. However, towards the end of the year, he was turning 20-something finishes into top-20 finishes, which gives him a positive attitude into the year.

“We were getting better and figuring things out and where we made our mistakes and where we went wrong, so to speak,” he commented. “Getting Cole (Pearn) on the box near the end of the year was a really good indication of what this year will bring for us, communication wise and those types of things. The year started getting stronger, had more bright spots at the end.”

Truex will look to have success with new crew chief Cole Pearn, as he replaces Todd Barrier atop of the pit box. That combined with working at getting the technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing has Furniture Row Racing hopeful for success. Truex says that the relationship has gone well, somewhat like working with teammates.

“I feel like that being a single car team is tough, but that makes it a whole lot easier for us, especially for me talking about the cars and comparing the set-ups,” he commented. “My good friend Ryan Newman is over there; that’s definitely helped that communication flow as well. I think with a year under our belt and working together, they’re starting to get a feel for what I am, who I am, what I like and how we can work together and I expect that to get stronger.”

The New Jersey native is also hopeful for success based on the test at Fontana Raceway as he felt the new rule package with the reduced horsepower had him pleased.

“It seems to be more in my wheel house, so to speak,”he said. “I was never a huge fan of that giant spoiler, and the car just being locked down. It seemed like for us, as a group, we could never get the car to turn. It seemed like going to California it fit me a lot better so I’m looking forward to that. It’ll be a good change for and we can take that and run.”

This year has already brought a positive light for Truex, though, as he received positive news surrounding long-time Sherry Pollex and her battle against ovarian cancer.

“This week was a big week for her,” he commented. “She had her last chemo treatment on Monday and things are really looking good. She’s doing great, feeling great, and hopefully this is the start of returning back to normal for both of us. It’s been a long journey. She’s been just incredible during the whole thing. She’s a special individual, proud of her for what she’s done and couldn’t ask for it to have gone any better. Happy that she is doing good and we can move on with our lives.”