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NASCAR: Five Drivers Most Likely To Win At Auto Club

By Cole Mentzel

Mar 22, 2015; Fontana, CA, USA; A general view of the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Fontana, CA, USA; A general view of the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2016; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (78) races during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (78) races during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Underdog: Martin Truex Jr.

Stats at Auto Club:

  • Wins: 0
  • Top-5’s: 0
  • Top-10’s: 4
  • Laps Led: 14

Martin Truex Jr. has certainly not had that many great moments racing at Auto Club. His highest finish at the track was sixth (2007 and 2008) and he has an average finish of 19.3 with just four finishes above fifteenth place.

However, despite a lack of success at the track in the past, Truex Jr. is going to enter the weekend with plenty of momentum. He has been racing like one of the best drivers in the series for the past year and his switch to Toyota has benefitted him greatly as he is now linked to JGR and their four great drivers.

Also, Truex Jr. will be getting his crew chief, Cole Pearn, back this weekend after he served a one-race suspension at Phoenix for a rules violation. Pearn has played a big role in the rise of the No. 78 team.

More racing: Power Rankings Heading Into Auto Club

Though there hasn’t been much to talk about for Martin Truex Jr. at Auto Club, he did finish eighth there last season and he already has two top-10 finishes this season. His recent track record makes him a dark horse for a big win this weekend.

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