March 15, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Martin Truex Jr. returns to the Camping World Truck Series at Bristol

What could possibly compel Martin Truex Jr. to jump back into the Camping World Truck Series? The Food City Dirt Race, of course.

After Sunday’s Cup win at Phoenix Raceway, Truex confirmed he’ll drive a Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Pinty’s Dirt Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 27th.

For the 40-year-old former Cup champion, the race marks Truex’s third start in the Truck Series.

“Damn, they spilled the beans? Okay, yeah, we are,” Truex said with a laugh. “We're going to run the truck race.

“(Kyle) said I could drive it for free, so I did it.”

Truex made two truck starts with Billy Ballew—the first in 2005 at Milwaukee and the following year at Michigan during his rookie Cup season. He finished 19th and 34th, respectively.

But the affable racer has limited experience on dirt. Plus, Truex hasn’t scored a top-five at Bristol since the spring race in 2012. In 30 starts at the half-mile track, Truex has two top-fives and three top 10s.

“I'm excited,” Truex said about racing on dirt. “I'm excited about it. I've only raced twice on dirt. Both of them were at Schrader's, having a charity race out in Missouri, did that a few times in a modified. I grown up on four-wheelers and motorcycles. It's going to be a learning curve for sure.”

Truex’s best Bristol result since joining Joe Gibbs Racing was 13th in the 2019 night race.

“I look at it as Bristol has been our worst track for the past couple years,” Truex said. “Why the heck not lay down dirt and see what we can do? I think it's going to be fun. New challenge, something different.”