Truex’s off-track triumphs bigger than championship – Nascar

LAS VEGAS — For 10 weeks, Martin Truex Jr. was the forgotten man, the guy seemingly racing in the shadows, there but not quite there.

He wasn’t the defending series champion; he wasn’t the four-time champ seeking to go out on top; he wasn’t the once-broken but far from beaten fellow scripting the most incredible comeback story.

Others were battling for a chance at the title. Truex, the Furniture Row Racing driver, was racing to stave off elimination. Or so we thought.

He was there but not quite there.

Friday night, Truex found himself back in the shadows once more. Which was the biggest shame of all on a night of celebration for NASCAR and it’s Sprint Cup Series.

Moments after somehow holding himself together while giving an emotionally-charged speech that touched the hearts of many inside the Wynn Las Vegas, the 35-year-old entered the workroom across the way, ready to address the media for a final time before officially calling it a season.

Instead, nearly everyone inside the workroom was focused on the television screen, watching a tearful Jeff Gordon accept accolades from mega-actor Tom Cruise. The annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony rolled onward.

Even Truex seemed impressed, lingering long enough to note “How about Cole Friggin’ Trickle being here? You believe that?”

After a brief question or two, he departed, returning to join long-time girlfriend Sherry Pollex back inside the ballroom.

Overshadowed once more. There but not quite there.

The New Jersey native had much to be proud of — having proven the naysayers wrong by continuing to advance through each round of the Chase to eventually find himself, along with Kevin Harvick, Gordon and Kyle Busch, battling for the championship in the season-ending race.

But addressing the crowd that filled the ballroom earlier, Truex eventually spoke of matters much closer to the heart.

He thanked team owner Barney Visser (“They said it couldn’t be done out of Denver. You showed them, didn’t you? Good job, buddy.”), and a long list of others, from Chevrolet officials for whom he had driven previously to Toyota partners that will come on board next season.

He thanked family members, sponsors, and “especially the millions of fans who watch our sport each week.”

Racing is his livelihood, but it’s not his life. There’s much more, matters much more personal that puts what occurs each Sunday in perspective.

“Most of us are faced with challenges at some point in our life,” Truex said. “As most of you know, last year my long time partner Sherry was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“As I’m sure you can imagine, the past year has been the most challenging time of our lives. Since Sherry’s diagnosis, our priorities have changed. We’ve learned that life isn’t just about living it’s about being alive. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“You’ve heard the saying, ‘don’t sweat the small stuff.’ Well,” he said somehow managing a chuckle, “we’re trying not to sweat the big stuff either.”

The experience, he said, “has made us both better people,” and truthfully, it’s those of us who have watched the couple that should have been made better, just by the lessons they’ve shown us in dealing with adversity.

“It’s made me a better driver and most of all made us thankful for all the people around and try to give back as much as we can,” he said.

“So the only advice I have for you tonight is to enjoy every moment, celebrate life, help others, and never give up. …

“Sherry, thank you for being my life. You’re my inspiration and I love you very much.”

Truex didn’t win this year’s Sprint Cup Series title. He wasn’t lauded, as was Harvick, for his role as the defending series champ. He wasn’t bid a fond farewell, as was Gordon, who retires after a stellar 23-year career. Nor was he celebrated for rallying from injuries to wear the crown of champion, as was Busch.

What he and Sherry did was much bigger.

And we’re the ones worse off for not noticing.