DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Saturday was shakedown day for our Furniture Row Chevy, and all systems are go for the biggest race of the season — the Daytona 500.
As is the case with all the Sprint Cup teams, everyone is searching for more speed. We didn’t learn as much as we had hoped for in Saturday’s practice only because there weren’t any big groups of cars out there like there will be in a race. Our crew chief, Cole Pearn, and I both feel we can get the speed needed when our Furniture Row Chevrolet is surrounded by a pack of cars. The key to success at a superspeedway is simple: You want to be in the fastest lane and positioned around guys who are fast.
We’ve had a strong Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. We have a good starting spot (10th) and a good pit stall selection. We just need to keep our car up front all day and away from trouble. If we can do that, we’ll have a shot at winning this race.
I frequently get asked if I do anything special before the 500. The answer is, not really. My good friend Ryan Newman and I went fishing Saturday afternoon to relax. I do admit when the two of us are fishing, it usually turns into a contest. But we do have a lot of fun when we’re together.
After some fishing, then it’s back to the motor coach for more R&R before I turn in to get a good night’s sleep. I feel more excited than nervous. But when we go up on stage for prerace introductions and look out at the big crowd, the adrenaline really starts to flow. It’s a humbling feeling to know that you are one of the drivers who will be competing in what is known as The Great American Race.
Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., driver of Denver’s No. 78 Chevrolet, is keeping a daily diary for The Denver Post through Sunday’s Daytona 500.
