It was a special Saturday for the Truex family, as Ryan Truex, the younger brother of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., scored his first top-three series win. Dover Motor Speedway has been an important track for the Truex brothers over the years, as Martin actually won his first Cup race at the Delaware track back in 2007, so the emotions were understandably running high.
Ryan was able to not only win at the Monster Mile in Saturday's A-Game 200, but he also led 124 laps and won both stages. It was a huge moment as he piloted the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota to victory lane. Ryan has made starts across all three of the NASCAR series but had yet to see the checkered flag before last weekend.
His brother summed up the significance of the moment best during his post-race interview with Fox Sports.
One proud brother. pic.twitter.com/YZiVqvfy9s
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 29, 2023
"It's been a long time coming for him. He's been through a lot," Truex said. "Really, really worked hard to get in this seat and just really proud of his effort. Over the years, like I said, he's just had a mountain to climb at times and just kept digging."
Martin has always supported his brother throughout the ups and downs of his NASCAR career, and he was clearly extremely proud of Ryan after all those years of grinding finally paid off.
"I always had faith in his abilities and knew what he could do," Truex said. "You just have to get the right opportunity."
Martin, who got his first Cup Series ride with NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt back in 2004, knows all about getting that "right opportunity," and he was extremely thankful to the folks over at Joe Gibbs Racing after the race.
"Thanks to JGR for letting him do this," Truex said. "It's just a huge day for him and our whole family."
