Avid fisherman Martin Truex Jr. receives special 24-hour privileges from Charlotte Motor Speedway
Martin Truex Jr. receives 24-hour access to his own pond near Charlotte Motor Speedway
As NASCAR prepares to host the concluding race of the Round of 12 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the track’s President Greg Walter bestowed a rare honor upon Martin Truex Jr. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will soon retire from full-time racing from the NASCAR Cup Series.
Martin Truex Jr. currently drives the No. 19 entry for the Toyota team. He is a two-time winner in the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race while also earning victories in crown jewel events like the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500.The New Jersey native won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship two years in a row (2004, 2005). In 2017, he won his career’s sole NASCAR Cup Series championship and was awarded him the title of “Best Driver” by ESPY. Truex Jr. was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.
Martin Truex Jr. is an avid fisherman, therefore, Charlotte Motor Speedway came up with possibly the most fitting retirement gift for the NASCAR champion; his very own fishing pond.
“We know he is an avid outdoorsman,” Walter said during a recent appearance. “We got about a thousand acres of lake property out here. So we have a pond that is actually out back, that is behind the gates. We’re gonna rename it; the Truex Jr. fishing pond. Here is his card; he gets 24-hour access to his own pond.”
Although winless this year, Martin Truex Jr. has delivered five top-5s and 10 top-10s so far. Throughout 31 races, he led 498 laps, which is significantly more than what the current points leader, William Byron, has.
Martin Truex Jr. recalled his favorite moment from Charlotte Motor Speedway
Martin Truex Jr. is about to race for the last time at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a full-time Cup Series driver. When asked what his favorite moment at Charlotte was, the two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner revisited his 2016 race at the 1.5-mile, quad-oval intermediate speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Truex Jr. dominated the race, leading 392 of 400 laps.
“Just looking back at that race, man, it was incredible what we were able to do,” Martin Truex Jr. told WCNC Charlotte Sports. “It’s something that, may never be topped. To have a record like that, that might stand for a long, long time is pretty neat.”
“I guess just a lot of good memories. And a lot of heartbreakers here too as well. Just a fun track. A really cool place,” he added.
Truex Jr. is excited to run Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400, especially after the track got reconfigured in May. Fans should expect sharper turns around the corners.
“They finally put a jump in one of these tracks for us,” Truex Jr. further stated. “I was on the simulator today and you kind of get airborne there going between turn five and that new turn six. So it’s gonna be interesting for sure.”
Fans can watch the race on NBC on October 13, 2 PM ET onwards. Radio updates will be available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
