Lugnut Report: Martin Truex Jr. Loses An Engine and Momentum In Fontana

2010 is a new beginning for Martin Truex Jr. He signed with Michael Waltrip Racing after leaving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing following the 2009 season.

Truex is driving a Toyota for the first time in his career. He is working with Pat Tryson, who left Penske Racing after the 2009 season.

They had a strong two weeks at Daytona after a strong sixth place finish at Daytona the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota.

They were looking to continue the early season success at Auto Club Speedway in California.
The team struggled early in the weekend finding speed and finding the balance of the race car. He ran 26 laps total on Fridays first practice but his fastest lap was a 40.07 second lap. That lap time was 26th fastest.

The team went to work for qualifying later in the afternoon. It was not an impressive qualifying lap, as they started 34th Sunday.

It was a disappointing qualifying lap but they got to work on Saturday and Truex was confident he would be able to get to the front of the field. When the race started he quickly moved through the field. He had one of the fastest cars early in the race.

He hit the wall early and caused a bit of damage to his car but was able to continue on. On lap 56 his day turned for the worse as his engine expired. He headed to the garage and finished 39th.

Truex was still hopeful after getting out of his car and the NASCAR season is a long season and he knows what he and his team are capable of.

It was not the day Truex expected. Now they head to Las Vegas hoping to rebound after a disappointing run at Auto Club Speedway.

Check out Jen Preston's Lugnut Report on Denny Hamlin.