By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
It took 10 races, but Martin Truex Jr. now has a top-five finish in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.
And he didn’t sneak his way into third position in Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was a top-of-the-line ride throughout the 325 laps, winning the race’s first two stages. In total, the 2017 champion led 65 laps on the afternoon and eventually fell to third spot when Kevin Harvick rose to the victory. JGR teammates Kyle Busch slid into second.
Indeed, the late laps of the day saw Truex fade.
“The last two or three runs there, we just got too tight. Not sure what happened,” Truex said. “With about 25 (laps) to go, I was clicking off some good lap times, but I knew I was pushing it too hard on the right front tire and with about 10 to go, it said, ‘oh hell no more.’ Just ran out of tires at the end and lost second to Kyle (Busch).”
Solid day for us. Needed to be better at the end, but @james_small and the guys brought a great car! On to Martinsville @AutoOwnersIns #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/UW4dyWoiWK
— Martin Truex Jr. (@MartinTruex_Jr) June 8, 2020
Finishing a best of sixth on two occasions in 2020, Truex scored his first top five of the season and his fifth top 10. Struggling with pace, execution or straight luck, Truex is optimistic leaving the Georgia track.
“Got our first two stage wins of the year, which was huge,” he said. “The car was really good. The guys did a great job. Auto Owners Camry was fast all day. We just can’t seem to get over the hump at the finishes.”
Earning his sixth straight top-10 finish at Atlanta, the 1.5-mile track’s Victory lane still eludes the New Jersey native.
“I could see the No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) and was just going to give it all I had and see if there was any opportunity,” he said of the final stage, “but he was just too good. Just got too tight at the end. I don’t know why, but we’ll go back and look at it.
“Hell of a job by everybody and a good, solid day.”
Truex next heads to Martinsville Speedway, where he enters as the track’s defending race winner.
Last time @MartinsvilleSwy, @MartinTruex_Jr led a career-best 464 laps to win this first race at the Virginia racetrack. @AutoOwnersIns | @BassProShops | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/wLLH9JOeZe
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) June 8, 2020