After 11 Years, Ryan Truex Gets the Call—and It’s a Big One

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Joe Gibbs Racing announced this week that Ryan Truex will drive the No. 11 JGR Toyota at Mexico City for Denny Hamlin, who remained at home in Charlotte, N.C. after the birth of his son. Truex was smiles and optimism as he spoke with reporters Friday in advance of the opening practice session – well-aware what a big opportunity this race presented.

The timing actually works out well, he conceded, considering the majority of the NASCAR Cup Series drivers have never raced at the 2.42-mile Mexico City road course. So the more typical disadvantages he would face in a one-race opportunity are mitigated for his first start in the series in 11 years.

Truex’s last NASCAR Cup Series race was in 2014 when he drove for BK Racing. In all he made 26 series starts in the 2013-14 seasons but none for a team legitimately competing for race victories at the time.

Since joining the JGR operation, however, Truex – the younger brother of NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. – has proven himself competitive even in a part-time schedule – earning three NASCAR Xfinity Series trophies in the last two seasons. And as one of the team’s primary drivers on the simulator, Truex joked that he probably has run more miles on the Mexico City course than anyone else on the JGR team.

“It’s been a crazy few weeks – especially since Charlotte, I’ve been on standby,’’ Truex said. “I’m glad it is at a track where I can practice and have time and know what to do to. I found out on Wednesday night, so it has been kind of chaotic getting here and putting all of that together, but I’m just grateful for the experience and grateful to be here.

“Really just want to enjoy it. I don’t really have any set goals or expectations – I just want to enjoy the weekend. I’m driving a Cup car for Joe Gibbs at an international race – this is not something I ever dreamed of doing, just want to take it all in and have a good time.”