NAPA AUTO PARTS To Sponsor Ryan Truex in Nationwide Debut at Gateway July 17

CORNELIUS, N.C. – Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that NAPA AUTO PARTS will sponsor defending K&N Pro Series East champion and current points leader Ryan Truex, when he makes his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Gateway International Raceway on July 17.

He’ll pilot the No. 00 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota at the St. Louis track with his East series crew chief Mike Greci helping to guide his way. Truex will race in five additonal Nationwide races in 2010.

The 18-year-old from Mayetta, N.J. is very familiar with the NAPA Racing program. Not only is his older brother Martin Truex Jr. driver of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but NAPA sponsored him during his championship run in the East Series last year.

“I want to thank NAPA AUTO PARTS for all they have done for me. I’m just excited to finally get started and have them on board for the Gateway race,” said Truex who won the New England 125 K&N Pro Series East event on June 25. “Three years ago I remember racing a Legend car at Wall Stadium in New Jersey and now I’m here. It’s hard to believe how fast it’s come, but I’m excited, ready to get started and make the most of this opportunity.”

“We are proud to be a part of Ryan’s first start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as he advances to the next level in his career. Ryan has proven to have the talent that warrants this opportunity.” stated NAPA President, Bob Susor. “NAPA was fortunate enough to be along for the ride as Ryan picked up numerous wins in route to the 2009 K&N Pro Series East championship. It will be fun watching his progress and we wish him and his team the best of luck.”

Truex Jr., is a two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and has two poles and a race win at Gateway. He is ready to lend his little brother support when he runs in NASCAR’s second-tiered division. It’s a series that has launched many careers including his own. He’s hoping the same holds true for Ryan.

“I look forward to watching Ryan make his first start in the Nationwide Series. It’s going to be a big day for him. It’s been fun to watch his progress. He hasn’t been racing very long and he’s come a long way as a driver. He’s been impressive. I’ll coach if he needs help, but he’s done a great job so far and he’s got a great team and sponsor behind him for this race. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to go. I am a nervous wreck when he races. It’s a 250 miler. I’m not sure I can handle that.”

MWR plans to run Ryan Truex in six NASCAR Nationwide Series events this season and is seeking sponsorship support. On the schedule are Michigan, Richmond, Kansas, Charlotte and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Plans are also in the works to run Truex fulltime in the Nationwide Series in 2011, if sponsorship can be secured.

Ryan Truex leads the K&N Pro Series East point standings by 33 markers over Darrell Wallace Jr. On Saturday the series races at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., where Truex is the defending race winner.

About NAPA

NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America’s growing need for a world-class auto parts distribution system. By providing excellent customer service for more than 80 years, NAPA has become the industry leader.

NAPA’s strength is unrivaled, with over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 Distribution Centers, more than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision repair facilities, over 400,000 parts in inventory every day and the convenience of 24-hour shopping with NAPAonline. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores provide friendly, personalized service. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the job done. With our huge in-stock inventory, NAPA provides the parts you need when you need them.

NAPA is currently participating its 15th season of primary sponsorship in NASCAR. NAPA AUTO PARTS has visited victory lane in all three major NASCAR series – Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup – amassing 30 wins, two Daytona 500 victories, and two Truck Series championships.

Ryan Wins New Hampshire

MWR's K&N Pro Series East Race Report


New Hampshire Motor Speedway

• Ryan Truex, No. 00 Toyota Camry - finished first and remains first in points.


Ryan Truex Race Summary: The New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been kind to the Truex family. On Friday, 18-year-old Ryan Truex joined his father Martin Sr. and his brother Martin Jr. as a winner on the flat, mile oval in Loudon, N.H. The youngest Truex led 65 of 125 laps to claim his first victory of the 2010 season and first at the track.

Truex, the 2009 series champion, took over the lead on lap 60 and never gave it back surviving a number of restarts late in the race.

“This is my Daytona 500,” said Truex in victory lane. “This is the most important race of the year for the East Series and I am so thankful for my family, my team, my crew and everyone connected with Michael Waltrip Racing.”

Truex will make his Nationwide Series debut on July 17 at Gateway International Raceway and run six races in 2010.


SPEED-TV will broadcast the race on Thursday, July 1 at 6 p.m.


The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will return to the track at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., on Saturday, July 3.


Ryan Truex, No. 00 Toyota Camry



• Truex crossed the finish line by .477 seconds over Kevin Swindell.

• Truex was followed across the line Friday by Kevin Swindell, Darrell Wallace Jr., Ryan Gifford and Brett Moffitt in the top five.

• With the New Hampshire win, Truex earned a secured starting position in the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).

Ryan Visits New Hampshire Media Center with Dad, brother to talk about Nationwide Racing

RYAN TRUEX, No. 00 Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing


NOTE: Ryan Truex will make his NNS debut at Gateway International Raceway in July 17, 2010

How big of an opportunity is it for you to race in the Nationwide Series?

“It is a really big opportunity and I’m just excited to get started. I can’t wait to get the first race started – Gateway on July 17. I just can’t thank everyone enough at MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) for giving me this opportunity. Three years ago I remember racing a Legend car at Wall Stadium in New Jersey and now I’m here. It’s hard to believe how fast it’s come, but I’m excited, ready to get started and make the most of my opportunity.”



Do you feel pressure from your brother because he has won two NNS championships?

“It’s pretty big shoes to fill. I don’t expect to go out and set the world on fire. I know it’s not going to happen. I’m just going to get my feet wet and just try to get as much experience as I can. I’m not going to go in and think I can run top-10 or top-five or anything like that. It’s a tough series. It took him (Martin Truex Jr.) a lot of starts to figure it out. It’s going to be tough. I put more pressure on myself than anything just to run as good as him just because of the last name and everything. I’m just going to go and try to do the best that I can.”



MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing

Are you coaching Ryan Truex for his Nationwide start?

“I’m not sure where we race that weekend. It’s been fun to watch Ryan (Truex) progress. Like he said, he hasn’t been doing this very long and he’s come a long way as a driver. He’s been impressive on the race track and behind the wheel. All the things that he’s done has led to this point. I’ll coach if he needs help, but he’s done a great job so far and he’s got a great team behind him. I look forward to watching him make his first start in the Nationwide Series.”



Do you have any ownership in Ryan Truex’s NNS car?

“As of right now, I’m not sure how it’s working to be honest with you. We’re working with MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) in anyway possible to get Ryan (Truex) on the race track. Me and my dad were the owners of the East team before MWR stepped in and said, ‘Hey, we would like to do this with you.’ They’ve been very gracious and been a big part of Ryan’s career, obviously. I think we kind of have a small part in the Nationwide deal, but not nearly as much as the East deal.”



MARTIN TRUEX SR.

How do you feel about your youngest son making his Nationwide Series start?

“I am very proud of him. In the early days I wasn’t sure this is what he wanted to do and I really never coaxed him to do it. When he was about 14 years old, he decided he wanted to race. I wasn’t real happy about it, but we’re proud of what he’s doing and he’s really come a long way in a short time. I think he’s really got some true talent. As we progress up the ladder, we’ll see what he has.”

Ryan Truex - New Hampshire Preview

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Ryan Truex hopes to add to his K&N Pro Series East points lead on Friday in the New England 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This race marks the halfway point in the series’ ten-race schedule. Truex, the 2009 series champion, is just eight points ahead of Darrell Wallace Jr. after taking over the lead at Martinsville Speedway on June. 6. Truex raced from the 32nd to second when rain shortened the race to just 175 laps. The 18-year-old Michael Waltrip Racing Development driver will also run six NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2010 beginning at Gateway International Raceway on July 17.


QUOTES

ON NEW HAMPSHIRE: “This week we’re going to New Hampshire, and I’m really excited about that. We ran there last year and ran really well, we should have had a win or two. We raced there two times and I think we are going to run good. Hopefully we can be up front and try to defend our points lead.”

ON BEING CLOSE TO HOME: “It’s a pretty special track to me. It’s close to home, and my brother and my dad have both won their first races there. I almost got it last year, so hopefully we can go there this year and get the win. I’m really excited to be there. It’s just a fun track – I like everything about it. My brother has taught me a lot about it and my dad has too, so I’m excited to go back.”

ON RACE STRATEGY: “New Hampshire, unlike most tracks, we have to pit for tires and gas because it’s a longer race. The strategy is a little different there. You want to try to get your tires and gas early so you can get back your track position before everyone else pits. It’s hard to say what exactly you are going to do, you just have to play it by ear as the race goes on. You don’t want to go too early to get tires and end up shuffled back when everyone else gets new tires, but then you don’t want to pit too late and end up having bad track position. It’s pretty tough. We did pretty good at that last year and stayed up front. I’m confident that we can do it again this year.”


ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST



• Truex along with Martin Truex Jr. and Sr. will hold a media availability at the New Hampshire Speedway media center at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.



• The 18-year-old driver is first in K&N Pro Series East standings, with 631 points. He leads second place, Darrell Wallace Jr., by eight points.



• The Mayetta, N.J. native is the first driver to earn a championship for Michael Waltrip Racing.



• Truex earned the first series championship title for Toyota in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last year.



• Truex is the third member of his family to compete in the K&N Pro Series East. His father, Martin Truex Sr., and his brother Martin Truex Jr. also competed in the series.



• Truex will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on July 17 at Gateway International Raceway. He will also race at Michigan, Richmond, Kansas, Charlotte and Homestead.

Ryan Truex - Martinsville Post Race Report

Ryan Truex, No. 00 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry - finished second - now first in points.


Ryan Truex Race Summary: Ryan Truex qualified fourth for the UNOH Performance 200. Due to a pre-race NASCAR penalty he was forced to start from the rear of the 32-car field. The Michael Waltrip Racing development driver, was passing cars from lap one as he steadily moved his way through the field, and by lap 68 Truex was running in the top-15. The 18-year-old managed to avoid the bumping and banging that led to 11 caution periods and took over the lead on lap 130. However, that was not the end of the caution laps. On lap 161 Truex was leading the competitors out of a caution period. Upon taking the green flag NASCAR officials ruled that the No. 20 car of Brett Moffitt had beaten Truex to the line, so Truex was scored in the second position. Rain began to fall soon after and the race was ruled official on lap 175. Truex finished second and regained the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points lead.


KNPS Racing Results

The 2009 defending champion, Ryan Truex, now leads the series points after his second-place finish at Martinsville Speedway.

Brett Moffitt won the UNOH Performance 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

Ryan Gifford won the Coors Light Pole Award on Saturday.

The race featured six lead changes among five drivers.

The race was slowed by eleven cautions for a total of 55 laps.



RYAN TRUEX, No. 00 Armed Forces Foundation Toyota

Truex started 32 and finished second

Truex qualified in the fourth position

Led 28 laps throughout the event including 23 laps of the final 38 lap run

Came home second after ending the event under caution for rain



TRUEX QUOTE: “It was a little disappointing being so close to a win, but we’re good in points now. We had a good weekend, qualified fourth and unfortunately I missed driver introductions - that wasn’t very good. We had to start from the back and had our work cut out for us, but I just took my time, was patient and made my way to the front. We had a good strategy. My crew chief, Mike Greci, was smart. We pitted before anyone else for gas and tires so when they pitted we got the track position and that is huge at Martinsville. It was a good weekend, I’m proud of the guys. They did a great job. We’re in the lead now so hopefully we can just keep on finishing in the top-3”.


UNOH Performance 200 FINAL RESULTS (Unofficial)



FIN DRIVER

1 Brett Moffitt

2 Ryan Truex

3 Darrell Wallace, Jr. *

4 Matt Kobyluck

5 Andrew Ranger

6 Jason Patison

7 Beto Monteiro

8 Matt Frahm

9 Cole Whitt

10 Jeff Anton

11 Kevin Swindell

12 Ryan Gifford

13 Jake Crum

14 Sergio Pena

15 Zach Germain

16 D.J. Shaw

17 Mas Gresham

18 Mackena Bell

19 Ryan Duff

20 Brandon Haley

21 Jody Lavender

22 Ty Dillion

23 John Salemi

24 Scott Bouley

25 Alan Tardiff

26 Andrew Smith

27 Eddie MacDonald

28 Josh Richards

29 Miguel Paludo

30 Steve Park

31 Guy Pavageau

32 Todd Peck



CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (Unofficial)






RANK DRIVER POINTS

Ryan Truex 631

Darrell Wallace Jr. 623

Cole Whitt 585

Max Gresham 581

Ryan Gifford 572

Brett Moffitt 571

Matt Kobyluck 560

D.J. Shaw 546

Ty Dillon 515

Jason Patison 495

Jeff Anton 495

Eddie MacDonald 493

Kevin Swindell * 458

Sergio Pena * 445

Zach Germain * 431

Ryan Duff 412

Mackena Bell 409

Mackena Bell * 400

Jody Lavender 376

Andrew Smith 370

John Salemi 339

Drew Brannon 327

Miguel Paludo 264

Andrew Ranger 262

Derek Ramstrom 256

Ryan Truex - Martinsville Preview

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Michael Waltrip Racing developmental driver Ryan Truex races at Martinsville Speedway this weekend in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East UNOH Performance 200.
The race marks the 18-year-old’s debut at the historic flat, mile oval. The defending series champion finished 14th in the season-opening race at Greenville-Pickens, third at South Boston and fifth at Iowa speedways. He’s now second in points just 13 points out of the lead. The younger brother of MWR Sprint cup driver Martin Truex Jr., will race in six Nationwide Series races in 2010 beginning July 17 at Gateway International Raceway. He’ll also race at Michigan, Richmond, Kansas, Charlotte and Homestead-Miami.

QUOTES


ON DEFENDING THE SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP: “I’m up to second in points now. Hopefully we can have a good run and get up to first. We just need to keep the car out of the fence. It’s a tough track. Everyone uses their bumpers and the side of their cars there to try and drive by you so hopefully we can run up front and avoid a lot of that.”

ON RACE STRATEGY: “It’s 200 laps, you get two tires and you can come in whenever you want. I don’t really know how we’re going to do it. You can come in halfway and get gas and tires or you can come in later and get just gas and not tires. Track position is a big deal there. You want to be up front, you don’t want to get funneled to the back because then you have to work through and there are always wrecks there. We don’t want to end up with a torn up racecar so strategy is going to be a big deal. We’ll have our work cut out for us, but I’m pretty confident my guys can figure it out.”

ON MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY: ““I’ve never actually been to Martinsville, so I’m excited. It has a lot of history. Hopefully we can get a grandfather clock. That’s a really big deal. We’ve done well at every track we went to last year that was new. I think we’ll be alright, I know we can be up there contending for the win.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST

• The 18-year-old driver is second in K&N Pro Series East standings, with 456 points. He trails leader Max Gresham by a mere 13 points.

• The Mayetta, N.J. native is the first driver to earn a championship for Michael Waltrip Racing.

• Truex recently participated in Michael Waltrip Racing’s Fan Appreciation Day on May 26, 2010 where he signed autographs for 200 fans at the MWR shop.

• Truex is the third member of his family to compete in the K&N Pro Series East. His father, Martin Truex Sr., and his brother Martin Truex Jr. also competed in the series.

• Truex will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on July 17 at Gateway International Raceway.