Martin Truex Jr. goes from NASCAR hero to zero at Pocono

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Martin Truex Jr. came to Pocono as last week’s winner and was tied with Kyle Busch for three wins on the season.

Early on in Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway Truex seemed like a legitimate contender but during a pit stop on lap 91, the engine on Truex’s Toyota soured.  Smoke drifted out of the tailpipes and after the crew raised the hood it was soon apparent that the race was over for Truex.

“I don’t know,” Truex said. “We just lost an engine there – dropped a cylinder down the backstretch and figured I might as well pit. I thought maybe it was a possibility we were out of gas, but it started smoking out of the pipes and shut off.” MORE>>>

Greg Engle