For perhaps the final time in his illustrious NASCAR Cup Series career, Martin Truex Jr. heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway with one goal — win.
With it being his last full-time season in NASCAR’s premier series, Truex’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota will be wrapped with a special paint scheme paying tribute to his 2017 Cup Series championship, which he clinched with a victory at the 1.5-mile oval.
At the time, Truex was competing for Furniture Row Racing, a one-car organization based out of Colorado. In the race, Truex surged on the final restart with 34 laps to go and held on to secure his only Cup Series championship.
“I remember everything about it – the whole weekend, race, every lap,” Truex recalled. “The only thing I don’t remember is when I crossed the finish line after the back straightaway. The party was fun, but nothing as crazy as when everyone was so happy and excited. We didn’t get to do much as I was on the track until 3 a.m. with obligations. The funniest part was a few of my crew guys and team members took a van around the race track.
“I was sitting off turn four doing an interview with Jamie Little and FOX, and we see those guys screaming in the van. Just everyone having a big time and happy for everything that happened.”
Forever a Champion 🏆@MartinTruex_Jr is running a @BassProShops throwback to his 2017 #NASCAR Cup Championship at Homestead. pic.twitter.com/VtVoxQE23i
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) October 22, 2024
Aside from his milestone accomplishment, Homestead has been one of Truex’s better race tracks on the Cup Series schedule. In 19 starts, the 44-year-old has an impressive average finish of 10.7, one victory and three runner-up results.
It’s a place that Truex feels has “always been a good track for us.”
“Going back to the Busch Series (now Xfinity Series), and learning about the place, it was good then,” Truex said. “I almost won my first race there in the Cup Series. I feel comfortable and have fun there, and it’s nice going to a track you’re not dreading and you enjoy and we hope to have some success with our Bass Pro Shops Camry this weekend.
“The scheme from that year was obviously memorable with what we did that year and at Homestead to win it all. Really have to thank everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Joe Gibbs Racing for bringing this scheme back to Homestead one more time.”
Truex may be one to watch on Sunday as he has a hint of momentum on his side after a strong sixth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend.