The Glendale Star
12
March 10, 2022
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NASCAR, Truex Jr. return to Phoenix Raceway
BY ZAKKARY BROG
Glendale Star Staff Writer
After successful runs in 2021 at Phoenix Raceway, Martin Truex Jr. will return to the venue on Sunday, March 13, for the Ruoff Mortgage 500. “I really enjoy going to Phoenix,” Truex Jr. said. “It’s a fun racetrack, and, honestly, I feel like it gets better every year with age. The racetrack was a blast to race on last year. Hopefully, we can continue the success.” In the spring 2021 race, the 2017 Cup Series champion finished first and won the Instacart 500. He had a strong showing later that fall, finishing second. However, second place felt especially distant on that day, as the championship of the season was on the line.
Martin Truex Jr. will return to Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 13, to compete in the Ruoff Mortgage 500. (Submitted photo)
Truex Jr. attributes his success to his chemistry with crew chief James Small, who worked as the lead engi-
neer with his previous team, Furniture Row Racing, during Truex Jr.’s 2017 title run as the lead engineer.
“Coming so close last year, it took a lot to get there,” Truex Jr. said. “I feel like he did a great job all year, and the team did as well. We’re in a great place, and we have a lot of confidence in each other and what we’re doing. We work well together, and I have all the confidence in the world that he’s going to figure this thing out pretty quickly and we’re going to get out there and win some races. I love having him on the team. His work ethic, his determination and his will to win is second to none. That’s what it takes at this level. I’m very lucky to have him and looking forward to hopefully having a great season together again.” The 2022 races are different, as the SEE TRUEX PAGE 14
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