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closeAUTISM SPEAKS 400 IS TRUEX JR.'S 1ST CUP VICTORY
Picking up Jr.'s torch
Win prepares Truex Jr. for leadership role in Earnhardt Jr.'s absence
DAVID SCOTT
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Monday, Jun. 04, 2007
DOVER, Del. -- Martin Truex Jr. walked away from a Saturday practice feeling confident he had a competitive car for what he thought was the next day's Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway.
But after rain washed out the race Sunday -- forcing it to Monday -- Truex had to wait a little longer to find out.
"I knew in `happy hour' -- and I told a lot of people after `happy hour' -- that I thought I could win the race," Truex said of the final practice. "You don't usually want to say that, but I felt that strongly about the car and the way it drove."
Two days later, Truex was in Victory Lane for the first time in his brief Nextel Cup career. He won in a walk, beating second-place Ryan Newman by 7.335 seconds.
"It's nice to have that feeling then go out there and back it up," Truex said.
Truex's victory was an affirmation of sorts for the other teams at Dale Earnhardt Inc., which has been shaken since Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s announcement in May that he would leave the team at the end of the season.
And Truex said it likely will change his role within the organization to more of a leader.
"It will have to," said Truex, who grew up in nearby Mayetta, N.J. "A lot of us look up to Dale Jr., but I'll have to be a little more vocal in how things are going. I'm real easy to get along with. I don't pick on people when they make mistakes."
There weren't many mistakes Monday. Truex led 216 laps and fought off Newman and Jimmie Johnson, who finished 15th, to win.
"We all worked so hard this week," said crew chief Kevin Manion. "We all love Dale Jr., but when he made his announcement, we all said we have to carry the torch now. We love DEI and how it works."
