Truex takes a gamble with fuel, earns victory

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — One by one they passed him as the laps dwindled at Watkins Glen International, and Martin Truex Jr. stuck to the plan. In the end, he was the one laughing in victory lane.

Truex held off a charging Matt Kenseth on the final lap and won the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday at The Glen, stretching his fuel to the triumphant end. It was the second road course victory of his career.

“I’ve wanted to win here for a long time. This is a big one for our team,” Truex said. “I never ran 100 percent because I didn’t have to. I ranhardenough(on the last lap) to just try to manage that gap.”

Truex gained the lead when Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski in the No. 2 Ford andRyan Blaney in the No. 21 Ford for the Wood Brothers were forced to pit in the final three laps.

“It’s excruciating to go that slow here and try to save that much fuel,” Truex said. “The toughest part, really, was justwatching the No. 2 pass and go on, and then watching the No. 21 pass and go on. It’s like,A`ll right, if they don’t run out of gas, we’re going to look really dumb.’ Fortunately, it worked out for us.”

Trailing by 3 seconds after saving fuel for several laps, Truex assumed the lead in his No. 78 Toyota when Blaney ducked into the pits as thewhite flagwas about to fly. Despite a bobble and locking the brakes as Kenseth challenged on the last lap, Truex won for the fourth time this season.

Daniel Suarez was third, the best finish of his rookie season, followed by Denny Hamlin and Bowyer. Polesitter Kyle Busch was seventh.