Martin Truex Jr. Returns to Victory Lane in Pocono

Originally written for CLNS Radio.

Martin Truex Jr. won the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 from Pocono Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Truex returned to victory lane for the first time since a win at Sonoma on June 23, 2013.

“It feels unbelievable,” Truex said in victory lane.

The victory was the culmination of an early season of strong runs, including a stretch over the last four races where he led over 450 laps.  The win locked Truex into the Chase for the Sprint Cup after running second in points for most of the season.  Truex said it was a testament to the determination of his team.

“I can’t thank all these guys enough on the Furniture Row Chevrolet, what a great group of guys.  I knew we were going to get one…I knew we had the team, I knew we had what it took.  Just had to get things to play out the way we needed them to.”

Truex’s return to victory lane is made even more special by the personal and professional struggles he has gone through the past two years.  Truex left Michael Waltrip Racing following the 2013 season after a Chase scandal caused NAPA to pull sponsorship, and last year his longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex was diagnosed with cancer.

“I feel like I’m on cloud 9 right now, just awesome.  Last year and a half’s been tough, but this feels pretty dang good.”

The win was a popular one in the garage, with many drivers offering Truex praise on pit road following the race, and some heading to victory lane to congratulate Truex on his win.

“I’m really happy for Martin, I know he went through a lot,” runner-up Kevin Harvick said after the race.  “If you’re going to lose to somebody today, that’s a great person to lose to.”

Unofficial results:

1. Martin Truex Jr.

2. Kevin Harvick

3. Jimmie Johnson

4. Joey Logano

5. Kurt Busch

6. Matt Kenseth

7. Jamie McMurray

8. Kyle Larson

9. Kyle Busch

10. Denny Hamlin

11. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

12. Greg Biffle

13. Kasey Kahne

14. Jeff Gordon

15. Carl Edwards

16. Casey Mears

17. Brad Keselowski

18. Ty Dillon

19. Austin Dillon

20. Justin Allgaier

21. Tony Stewart

22. Clint Bowyer

23. David Ragan

24. Trevor Bayne

25. Landon Cassill

26. Alex Bowman

27. David Gilliland

28. Cole Whitt

29. Josh Wise

30. Brett Moffitt

31. Paul Menard

32. Matt DiBenedetto

33. Jeb Burton

34. Michael Annett

35. Travis Kvapil

36. J.J. Yeley

37. Danica Patrick

38. AJ Allmendinger

39. Ryan Newman

40. Brendan Gaughan

41. Sam Hornish Jr.

42. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

43. Aric Almirola

Photo courtesy Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images