
Truex: 'It Was Effortless' - Former Champion Reflects on Dominant 2017 NASCAR Season
Martin Truex Jr.'s dominant 2017 NASCAR season stands as one of the most impressive championship runs in the elimination era. During that remarkable year, Truex transformed from an envious competitor into a dominant force after joining Furniture Row Racing and partnering with Toyota.

Truex Jr. celebrates with NASCAR trophy
The statistics tell a compelling story of excellence:
- 8 race wins
- 19 stage wins (440 stage points)
- 53 playoff points
- 2,253 laps led
- 26 top-10 finishes
- Championship victory at Homestead-Miami
"It was just clicking and effortless. We'd just go do it," Truex reflected. The success wasn't without challenges, including six DNFs and personal tragedies within the team. Crew chief Cole Pearn lost his childhood best friend, and the team mourned the loss of fabricator Jim Watson during the playoff run.
The championship-deciding race at Homestead showcased the team's strategic brilliance. Despite early struggles, Pearn's calculated approach focused on optimizing the car's performance for nighttime conditions. This strategy proved crucial in securing their victory.
During his five seasons with Furniture Row Racing, Truex amassed 17 wins—his most with any team—and made three Championship 4 appearances. The 2017 championship, while his only one, represents one of NASCAR's most dominant single-season performances in the modern era.
The pressure of executing with such exceptional equipment wasn't lost on Truex: "You know those opportunities aren't going to continue forever," he reflected. "The reality is, things change quickly in this sport."
Truex retired from full-time competition after the 2024 season, leaving behind a legacy highlighted by this extraordinary 2017 campaign.
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