Truex’s victory on the 1.099-mile street course final season was the fourth of his NASCAR Cup profession, shifting him into second on the all-time wins record on the monitor.
Present Hendrick Motorsports government and NASCAR Corridor of Famer Jeff Gordon holds the report with 5 victories at Sonoma.
With Truex unsure whether or not he’ll return subsequent season, Sunday’s race could also be his final likelihood to tie Gordon’s report.
File-breaking speeds
To take action, nonetheless, he should navigate a a lot totally different and quicker monitor, because of a repave earlier this 12 months.
“I feel for so long as I can keep in mind you’ll come to Sonoma and you’ll suppose worn out monitor (and) tire put on – rather a lot totally different than it’s now,” he mentioned Friday. “Now, it’s actually going to be, just about, working qualifying laps each lap with the tires that don’t actually put on out, or fall off a lot.
“Completely totally different method than we’ve finished at Sonoma previously, however with that being mentioned, we examined out right here – I felt good about it, and it’s nonetheless the identical course. New challenges, similar course.
“Hopefully. we will determine it out and go win quantity 5 right here.”
The altering monitor dynamic was very evident in Friday’s 50-minute apply session.
Speeds had been up dramatically which led to a number of drivers to spin or run off monitor. Greater than half the 38 automobiles that participated in apply ran laps quicker than the earlier monitor qualifying report.
Truex ended up tenth quickest in common single-lap velocity and eighth fast in 10-lap common speeds.
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Toyota Camry in victory lane
Photograph by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Photos
Truex, admittedly selfishly, needs the monitor may have been preserved and not using a full repave.
“We had one thing actually good right here working, and definitely, final 12 months, we did very well with it,” he mentioned. “We’ve received on each configurations of monitor right here. I’ve received in some totally different race automobiles right here through the years, totally different fashions of automobiles, totally different generations of automobiles.
“I feel this may very well be in all probability the toughest one to win of all of them, as a result of it will come down to trace place, and being on the appropriate technique, having good pit stops – we may see a man gamble on when to pit, and catch a warning and win the race – form of come from nowhere.
“I feel there may be going to be extra of an opportunity for an upset or for a man shocking the sector I feel, this time round.”
MTJ stays winless in 2024
A victory would additionally come at time for Truex.
Whereas he has had a strong 2024 season, he stays and not using a win and in mired in a 31-race winless streak courting again to final summer season.
A win at Sonoma would additionally give Truex his sixth Cup street course victory tying him with Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison, Ricky Rudd and Richard Petty for third on the all-time collection street course wins record.
“The monitor goes to proceed to get quicker the extra we run on it, and so, it will be totally different tomorrow, it will be totally different on Sunday,” Truex mentioned.
“It’s going to proceed to alter, and we’re going to want to determine what path to go and what path the monitor goes to go, and hopefully maintain our automotive good all weekend.”
