Martin Truex Jr.
CREW CHIEF: Cole Pearn
TEAM: Furniture Row Racing
POINTS: 11th
WINS: 4 (Charlotte I, Darlington, Chicago, Dover II)
LAPS LED: 1,809 (more than three times his previous highs of 581 laps in 2007 and 567 in 2015)
TOP 5s: 8 (tied for career best in 2015)
TOP 10s: 17 (third-best in his career – had 22 top-10s in 2015 and 19 in 2012)
POLES: 5 (Kansas I, Charlotte I, Pocono II, Talladega II, Martinsville II)
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Truex had an outstanding season, following up on the great year he had in 2015. He earned a career-high four wins (never had more than one win in any previous season), scored a single season career-best five poles, made the Chase for the second consecutive season and had a career-best single season starting average (9.1) ... The highlight of the year was his win in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, leading a record 392 of 400 laps.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Truex had a number of pit road issues – mistakes both by himself (like speeding) and his crew, as well as questionable strategy calls – that likely cost him either additional wins or higher finishes. … When the Chase began, Truex appeared ready to once again reach the Championship 4 round like he did in 2015. As it turned out, he failed to advance past the second round. … Also had four DNFs, including three in the last five Chase races.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2017: Truex and Furniture Row Racing have finally established themselves as significant powers and threats to win in virtually every race. And that’s solely as a one-car team. That changes in 2017 when FRR expands to two teams with the addition of phenom and 2015 Camping World Truck Series champion, Erik Jones. Having a teammate will only make Truex better, and the organization’s ongoing technical relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing will continue to pay greater dividends.
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