Martin Truex Jr.'s journey with Toyota became legendary through his remarkable 2017 championship season and beyond. As TRD President David Wilson recalls, it was a "magical" year that culminated in an emotional victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The foundation for success was laid in 2016, Truex's first year with Furniture Row Racing as a Toyota team, where he secured four victories. Despite an unfortunate engine failure at Talladega ending his championship hopes that year, it set the stage for what was to come.

2017 proved dominant with:

• 8 race wins
• 2,253 laps led
• 19 stage wins
• Regular season title
• Championship victory

The postseason showed Truex's consistency with nine top-five finishes in 10 races. His only setback was at Talladega. The championship battle came down to Truex, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski, with Truex emerging victorious.

Toyota's relationship with Truex began during his 2010-2013 stint with Michael Waltrip Racing. After the 2013 Richmond incident, Toyota helped guide him to Furniture Row Racing, where he found his greatest success. The partnership continued at Joe Gibbs Racing, where Truex added to his impressive total of 32 Toyota victories.

Wilson particularly admires Truex's character, citing what he calls "the good dude factor." Beyond his racing achievements that will lead him to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Truex's grace and professionalism have left an indelible mark on Toyota's racing legacy.

The success of the single-car Furniture Row Racing team, operating from Denver, Colorado, proved that with the right people, resources, and alliance partnerships, extraordinary achievements were possible in NASCAR's top division.

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