KANSAS CITY, Kan. – As well as Martin Truex Jr. has run at Kansas Speedway, it’s nothing short of remarkable that the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota has never won at the 1.5-mile track.

Truex has led laps in seven of his 16 starts at Kansas—in some cases, lots of laps. In the spring of 2012, while driving for Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex was out front for 173 circuits before finishing second to Denny Hamlin.

Most recently, Truex won the pole and led 172 laps at Kansas in May, only to finish 14th after a late-race pit road snafu. But with a berth in the Round of 8 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on the line in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 (on NBC at 2:15 p.m. ET), Truex couldn’t think of a better time to get a breakthrough victory.

“Yeah, I definitely get a positive vibe coming here – a positive feeling that we’ve been so close,” said Truex who won at Chicagoland and Dover in the Chase’s Round of 16. “We’ve done just about everything here but win, and I feel like it’s time for us to make that happen.

“And I don’t think there’s ever been a time where I’ve come here more confident and so, yeah, I mean I’m looking forward to seeing how the weekend goes and seeing if we can finally close the deal here. I feel like we can do it, and (I’m) just ready to go out there and give it a shot.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying – Hollywood Casino 400
Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, Kansas
Friday, October 14, 2016

1. (20) Matt Kenseth (C), Toyota, 192.089 mph.
2. (18) Kyle Busch (C), Toyota, 192.082 mph.
3. (19) Carl Edwards (C), Toyota, 191.015 mph.
4. (78) Martin Truex Jr. (C), Toyota, 190.786 mph.
5. (88) Alex Bowman(i), Chevrolet, 190.315 mph.
6. (22) Joey Logano (C), Ford, 190.221 mph.
7. (11) Denny Hamlin (C), Toyota, 190.188 mph.
8. (2) Brad Keselowski (C), Ford, 190.087 mph.
9. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 189.927 mph.
10. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 189.840 mph.
11. (4) Kevin Harvick (C), Chevrolet, 189.580 mph.
12. (3) Austin Dillon (C), Chevrolet, 189.567 mph.
13. (24) Chase Elliott # (C), Chevrolet, 189.954 mph.
14. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 189.940 mph.
15. (41) Kurt Busch (C), Chevrolet, 189.773 mph.
16. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 189.760 mph.
17. (21) Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 189.540 mph.
18. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 189.387 mph.
19. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 189.241 mph.
20. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 189.201 mph.
21. (48) Jimmie Johnson (C), Chevrolet, 188.976 mph.
22. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 188.930 mph.
23. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 188.094 mph.
24. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 186.034 mph.
25. (6) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 188.376 mph.
26. (7) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 187.669 mph.
27. (83) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 187.578 mph.
28. (23) David Ragan, Toyota, 187.513 mph.
29. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 187.441 mph.
30. (34) Chris Buescher #, Ford, 187.331 mph.
31. (15) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 187.246 mph.
32. (44) Brian Scott #, Ford, 186.819 mph.
33. (95) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 186.419 mph.
34. (38) Landon Cassill, Ford, 185.052 mph.
35. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 184.824 mph.
36. (55) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 183.163 mph.
37. (46) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 181.898 mph.
38. (32) Joey Gase(i), Ford, 180.560 mph.
39. (98) Reed Sorenson, Toyota, 180.403 mph.
40. (30) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 179.850 mph.

–30–

Let There Be Lights!

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 12, 2016) – After nearly seven decades of automotive racing without lights, historic Martinsville Speedway is finally set to flip the switch. International Speedway Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: ISCA; OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB) (“ISC”) today announced that it will commit $5 million to equip the track with LED lighting, making it the first major motorsports facility to do so.

The lights, which will begin installation following this year’s Goody’s® Fast Relief 500 on October 30 and are scheduled to be in place by January 2017, represent the largest capital investment by ISC into Martinsville to date.

“Bringing lights to Martinsville Speedway is something that has been a priority for us,” said ISC President John Saunders. “But just like Martinsville, we wanted the lights for this project to be unique. They had to be of the highest-quality for both the competitors and the fans.”

The project, dubbed “Light Up Martinsville,” will see the installation of an industry-leading LED lighting solution, which provides better illumination, greater flexibility and more efficiency than traditional metal halide lights. In addition to enhancing the fan experience at Martinsville Speedway, LED lighting will also enhance the quality of the broadcast for fans watching at home. The lighting solution will consist of multiple structures located around the perimeter of the facility and the infield of the track.

“To be able to light this track up when the sun goes down, that’s going to be something truly special,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “Our fans have told us that they want lighting. We’re pleased to provide them with another amenity which will ensure Martinsville continues to be one of the premier destinations in motorsports.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, was at Martinsville earlier today to help unveil the project.

“As a driver, I always get excited about coming to Martinsville,” said Earnhardt. “Adding lights to the track will only add to its legacy.”

Graybar, a leading distributor of high-quality electrical and communications products and services, will oversee the addition of Eaton’s Ephesus Stadium 750 LED professional sports lights to Martinsville.

“We’re proud to be a part of this historic project,” said Bill Mansfield, Graybar Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “When you combine Graybar’s services along with the products from Eaton’s Ephesus lighting business, this project will create the best lighting for the best drivers and fans in the world. We can’t wait to ‘Light Up Martinsville.’”

DENVER, Colo. (Oct. 12, 2016) – Martin Truex Jr., who will make his 400th career Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, is keenly aware of the stakes at hand as the high-pressure Chase continues to unfold.

After winning two of the three races in the first round of the Chase, the Furniture Row Racing driver slipped to a 13th-place finish in the opening race of Round 2 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was running in the top three when the clutch malfunctioned while leaving his pit stall with fewer than 30 laps remaining.

The good news for Truex is that he returns to Kansas where he has come close to winning a number of times, including at this year’s spring race. As was the case at Kansas in May, Truex will drive the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota Camry.

Truex captured the pole, led a race high of 172 laps and enjoyed a commanding lead on Kansas’ 1.5-mile oval. But after pitting for fresh tires on Lap 210 of 267 he reported that he had a loose wheel and the car was shaking. The culprit was a broken head bolt off the brake that got lodged behind the right-front wheel. Truex had no choice but to make an unscheduled pit stop. He finished 14th.

“That was just one more race at Kansas where we were dominant but didn’t close the deal,” said Truex, who also scored a pair of runners-up at Kansas in 2012. “But right now I am happy we’re headed to Kansas, this is a race we feel we can run up front and possibly win. When we left Kansas in May I said, ‘If we keep on bringing cars like we had tonight we’re going to win.’ Since Kansas we have done that, winning four times.

“I am hoping that my 400th Cup start will be much better than my first one (Oct. 31, 2004 at Atlanta, finished 37th). Can’t believe it’s gone by this fast but I am sure enjoying every race, especially this season. It’s been awesome to be part of a great race team.”

Truex ranks seventh in Chase points among the 12 playoff drivers, 19 points to the good of being in the top eight, the number of drivers who will advance to the next round. However, he feels it is important to increase his lead above the cut line at Kansas since the final race of Round 2 will be at the wildcard Talladega Superspeedway.

“The ideal scenario would be to win Kansas and not worry about Talladega,” said Truex. “But if you don’t win Kansas you want to finish high and have somewhat of a cushion (in points) for Talladega where the odds of getting collected in a wreck are higher than we would all prefer.”

Truex enters Kansas as the Sprint Cup Series lap leader (1594) and is tied for season wins at four.

“We have a great team,” stated Truex. “I’m just honestly thankful that I am getting to show my talent, my capabilities behind the wheel and focus on continuing this roll that we’re on, and what it’s going to take to do that, so I don’t take it for granted. I know that in two weeks it could be gone. You just never know in this sport, that’s why I’m living in the moment and enjoying myself. I love working with my race team.”

In 16 Sprint Cup career starts at Kansas, Truex has garnered four top fives, five top 10s and 518 laps led. His average starting position is 12.1 and average finishing position is 17.1.