Martin Truex Jr.

Birthday: June 29, 1980
Hometown: Mayetta, N.J.

Truex Jr.

YEAR-BY-YEAR CUP SERIES RECAP

2009 -- Finished 23rd in series points. ... His one top five was a career-low as a full-time driver. ... Began the season strong, winning the pole for the Daytona 500. .... Also won poles at Atlanta (fall) and Phoenix. ... Best finish of the season (fifth) came at Phoenix. ... Announced he was leaving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and signed with Michael Waltrip Racing. ... Former Kurt Busch/Mark Martin crew chief Pat Tryson left Penske Racing to run his program.

2008 -- Finished 15th in series points. ... Finished with three top-fives and 11 top-10s. ... Suffered a disappointing season a year after participating in his first Chase. ... Inconsistency and five DNFs played a role. ... Best finish was fourth in the summer event at New Hampshire. ... Best start was second for the fall event at Texas.

2007 -- Finished 11th in series points. ... Finished with seven top-fives and 14 top-10s. ... Earned his first career series win (Dover) and pole (Texas). ... Made the Chase in only his second full season.

2006 -- Finished 19th in series points. ... Finished with two top-fives and five top-10s in his first Cup season. ... Finished third in final standings for rookie of the year award. ... Ended with a season-best second-place finish at Homestead.

2005 -- Finished 47th in series points. ... Competed in seven Cup events. ... Posted a best finish of seventh at Charlotte. ... Won his second consecutive Busch Series championship in his second full-time season.

2004 -- Finished 70th in series points. ... Ran two races for Dale Earnhardt Inc. at Atlanta and Homestead. ... Posted best finish of 32nd in the season finale at Homestead.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY

Won back-to-back Busch Series championships in 2004 and '05, his only two full seasons of series competition. ... Has won 13 races in the Nationwide Series. ... Named to 2004 All-America Auto Racing Team by members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA). ... Finished 11th in NASCAR Camping World Series East points in 2002 after posting six top-fives, 11 top-10 finishes and a series-leading six poles. ... Scored two wins, two poles and finished eighth in East points in 2001. ... Finished 12th in East standings in 2000 and runner-up to Mike Johnson for rookie of the year honors.

NOTEWORTHY

Began racing go-karts in 1991 and moved to modifieds in 1998. ... Turkey Derby Classic champion in 1999 for modifieds at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey. ... Son of former NASCAR Grand National Division East Series competitor Martin Truex Sr. ... Fan of all Philadelphia pro sports franchises.