MARTINSVILLE, Va. (March 29, 2009) – An ill-handling race car and two late-race accidents resulted in a 29th-place finish for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver Martin Truex Jr. in Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The starting field was set by 2009 owner points because qualifying was rained out on Friday, meaning Truex would start in the 20th position. He remained in the top 25 for the first portion of the race while his team made a number of adjustments during pit stops, hoping to give the car more grip through the center of the turns.
The Mayetta, New Jersey native continued to battle his way around the tight 0.526 mile oval while the leaders began to close ground. Truex went a lap down on lap 232 of the 500-lap event but kept pace with the leaders and was awarded the Lucky Dog on lap 388.
Unfortunately, Truex was passed by the leaders again on lap 419 and he was later involved in the race’s 1th caution period when he could not avoid the spinning car of David Reutimann. Crew chief Kevin Manion called his driver down pit road so repairs could be made to the front of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet.
Truex reentered the race in 24th but found himself caught up in another accident on lap 473, when the No. 96 car of Bobby Labonte spun in front of him. Truex made heavy contact with Labonte and had to pit for more repairs. He reentered the race in 28th and gave up one more position before the checkered flag fell.
Truex is now 28th in 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings.
Next up for the Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team is Sunday’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Live coverage begins on FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET.
