Martin Truex Jr. overcame a spin after contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to win the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. The victory is Truex Jr.’s second consecutive win and sixth win of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
The No. 19 team battled back after being spunout by Stenhouse Jr. with 84 laps remaining in the Federated Auto Parts 400. The spin dropped Truex Jr. back to third place after pitstops during the following caution.
“First thing was what the hell?” When asked what went through Truex Jr.’s mind after being spun while leading. “Luckily I didn’t hit anything. I tried to keep it off the fence and get spun around to get going.”
Truex Jr. drove past his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch with 25 laps to go to earn his 25th career victory in the Cup Series. Truex Jr. never won at Richmond Raceway in his first 26 attempts. However, he swept both races this season in 2019, winning both the Federated Auto Parts 400 and earlier this season in the Toyota Owners 400.
“To sweep Richmond finally is pretty awesome, as much as we led here coming into this year,” said Truex Jr. on the frontstretch after earning the victory.
Along with sweeping Richmond Raceway this season, Truex Jr. also has swept the first two races in Round 1 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The driver from Mayetta, New Jersey now heads to The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he nearly won last season before being spun by Jimmie Johnson in the final corner.
Erik Jones Failed Post-Race Inspection in Federated Auto Parts 400
Joe Gibbs Racing nearly had a perfect night at Richmond Raceway. His team finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. However, 4th place finisher Erik Jones failed post-race inspection, disqualifying his finishing position and regulating the driver of the No. 20 to a last place finish. After transmission issues last week placed Jones in points deficit heading into Richmond, this penalty will force the 23 year old from Byron, Michigan to win at the Roval for any chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The points standings after the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway can be found here.
