Truex Wins First NASCAR Chase Race at Chicago, Fined with Jimmie Johnson After Failing Post Race Inspection

Story By: Richard Thomas

Photos By: Hal Jalikakik

Jolliet, IL–

For Martin Truex Jr. confidence in racing has never been an issue, and winning is something that he feels he can do coming into every race with this Furniture Row team and today, he started his quest for a championship with a victory at Chicagoland Speedway.

His victory didn’t come without issues as both his car and the 48 of Jimmie Johnson failed the post race inspections. We won’t know what penalties that NASCAR will impose until later in the week, but believe us, its not going to stop Truex from going after the championship.

“I’ve never been in a position where I feel like we can go anywhere and win,” Truex said after celebrating his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 victory. “Right now I feel like any race track, any weekend, anywhere in the country we can win.”

Truex had won just three races prior to this year, and he has never led the points. So there’s no reason not to puff out his chest and feel like a Chase favorite leading the standings.

“I don’t think they’re going to let up at all,” Furniture Row Racing team owner Barney Visser said. “They enjoy being in Victory Lane just a little bit too much.

“They work too hard on the cars to back off at all in the next two races. Martin enjoys running up front. He’s pure athlete. This is what he does it for.”

After the final restart, it was all Truex needed to get that competitive advantage.

Truex took the high side and roared past Kahne and Blaney to take the lead. He beat Joey Logano to the line by 0.776 seconds. Elliott finished third.

It was quite a comeback for Truex, who had his own tire issue while running second on Lap 69. He returned to the track a lap down and in 21st place.

Below are the standings heading into next weeks race at New Hampshire.