Martin Truex, Jr. continued his dominant season with a win in the Round of 12 opener at Charlotte. With the victory, he automatically advances to the Round of 8, which begins at Martinsville on October 29.
Truex will carry at least his 64 playoff points – 30 for his six wins, 19 for his 19 stage wins and 15 for his regular season championship – into the Round of 8. He can still earn even more in the upcoming races at Talladega and Kansas.
Truex’s victory was his fifth at a 1.5-mile track this season, tying Carl Edwards (2008) for the most in a year. He still has races at Kansas, Texas and Homestead to break Edwards’ mark.
The No. 78 Toyota driver has led 1,977 laps this season – 23 away from 2,000. If he accomplishes the feat, he will become only the fourth driver since 2000 to lead 2,000 or more laps in a single season, joining Kevin Harvick (2015 – 2,294 laps led and 2014 – 2,137 laps led), Jimmie Johnson (2009 – 2,238 laps led) and Jeff Gordon (2001 – 2,320 laps led).
In the Modern Era (1972 to Present), only 11 drivers have led 2,000 or more laps in a single season.
Truex leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in wins (six), top fives (14, tied with Kyle Larson), top 10s (21), stage wins (19), average running position (7.3), driver rating (115.7), fastest laps run (1,143, 16.4%) and laps led (1,977, 22.7%).
WDUN will carry live MRN Radio coverage of Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 from Talladega Superspeedway beginning at 1 pm on 102.9 FM and streaming live on AccessWDUN.com.
NCWTS: Sauter Looking For Another Talladega Win
Reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter is looking to make his mark in the final race of the Round 8. Sauter was victorious at Talladega in 2013 and finished seventh there in back-to-back seasons (2016 and 2015).
Sauter had a rough night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his last race out but still managed to finish 10th. He finished ninth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs opening race at New Hampshire.
Sauter currently sits fourth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs point standings and remains a threat to win anywhere, any week.
Race Weekend Guide
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Alabama 500
The Place: Talladega Superspeedway
The Date: Sunday, Oct. 15
The Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: NBC, 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 500.08 miles (188 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 55),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 110), Final Stage (Ends on lap 188)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Next Race: fred’s 250
The Place: Talladega Superspeedway
The Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
The Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, 12:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 250.04 miles (94 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 20),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on lap 94)
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