Martin Truex Jr conquers Sonoma for fourth time in his career

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Martin Truex Jr. gained at Sonoma Raceway for the fourth time in his profession Sunday, passing Chase Elliott for the lead after a final-stage restart and holding off Kyle Busch for his second NASCAR Cup Collection victory of the season.

The 42-year-old Truex confidently drove his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to a different victory on the hilly street course on the base of Northern California wine nation, the place he additionally gained in 2013, 2018 and 2019. Solely Jeff Gordon has extra victories (5) at Sonoma than Truex, who earned the thirty third win of his Cup profession and his second within the final six races after profitable at Dover.

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Martin Truex Jr raises his hands

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Professional Outlets Toyota, celebrates after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 11, 2023 in Sonoma, California. (Logan Riely/Getty Pictures)

Elliott completed fifth in his return from a one-race suspension for intentionally wrecking Hamlin at Charlotte. Elliott, who has missed seven races this season, twice held the lead within the ultimate stage earlier than Truex blew previous him on brisker tires. Truex has seven top-10 finishes in his final 9 races.

“Hats off to my crew,” mentioned Truex, who completed twenty sixth at Sonoma final 12 months. “To be so dangerous final 12 months, and to return again and try this with principally the identical automobile, is unbelievable. … My crew is doing every little thing proper.”

Joey Logano was third behind Busch, with Chris Buescher in fourth.

Truex and Busch, who was 2.979 seconds behind in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, had the eleventh 1-2 end of their lengthy Cup careers.

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Martin Truex Jr races in Sonoma

Martin Truex Jr. (19) drives throughout a NASCAR Cup Collection auto race at Sonoma Raceway, Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Sonoma, Calif.  (AP Photograph/Darren Yamashita)

“Not too dangerous,” mentioned Busch, who gained final week’s Cup race outdoors St. Louis. “Simply want we had just a little bit extra. I used to be simply making an attempt to maintain him trustworthy there on the finish.”

Truex gave the impression to be cruising towards victory earlier than pole-sitter Denny Hamlin spun after he made contact with the wall with 19 laps to go. Hamlin’s automobile slid sideways throughout the start-finish line.

Elliott led popping out of the warning with 15 laps left, however Truex surged up on contemporary tires and reclaimed the lead for good.

“Because of this you undergo years such as you did final 12 months,” Truex mentioned. “You simply by no means surrender and preserve going.”

Tyler Reddick began second in his bid to win for the fourth time within the Cup Collection’ final six street course races, however the Northern California-born driver steadily slipped down the standings. He received again as much as second within the ultimate stage earlier than his pit cease, however he blew a tire with 14 laps left.

Defending champion Daniel Suárez additionally struggled to make headway after beginning in ninth, in the end ending twenty second.

Martin Truex Jr races

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Professional Outlets Toyota, crosses the end line to win the NASCAR Cup Collection Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 11, 2023 in Sonoma, California. (Logan Riely/Getty Pictures)

Hamlin led the primary 32 laps from the pole earlier than Truex handed him within the second stage. The race was caution-free till the forty ninth lap, when Busch took the lead by not pitting earlier than Truex reclaimed it on contemporary tires with 42 laps to go.

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UP NEXT

After a one-week break, the Cup Collection begins its 10-race dash to the playoffs June 25 at Nashville Superspeedway.

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