This weekend marks an important moment for Ryan Truex as he fills in for Denny Hamlin in the NASCAR Mexico City race. Hamlin remained home to be with his fiancée, Jordan Fish, following the birth of their third child, their first son, earlier this week. Truex will pilot the No. 11 Toyota Camry, stepping up for an unexpected but significant opportunity.
Truex, 33, brings prior NASCAR Cup Series experience from 2014 when he competed with BK Racing. While his performance that year was modest, with a best finish of 20th place, he has not qualified for the Cup Series since then. Truex also attempted to make the 2019 Daytona 500 but fell short. As Joe Gibbs Racing’s current backup and simulator driver, this race in Mexico City gives him the chance to showcase his skills at a top-flight event.
Ryan Truex Reflects on Preparation and Expectations for the Race
Since the Charlotte race, Truex has been on standby waiting for an opportunity like this. He shared with reporters how the circumstances unfolded rapidly when he learned on Wednesday night that he would be driving Hamlin’s car. He described the last several days as hectic but expressed gratitude and excitement about the chance.
“It’s been a crazy few weeks. Basically, since Charlotte, I’ve been on standby,”
Truex explained.
“So, yeah, I’m glad it’s at a track where I can practice and have time, and no one’s been except for a few guys. Yeah, it’s, I found out Wednesday night. So, it’s been kind of chaotic getting here and putting all of that together, but I’m just, you know, grateful for the experience and grateful to be here. Really just want to enjoy it. I don’t have, I don’t really have any set goals or expectations. I just want to enjoy the weekend.”
Truex also emphasized the uniqueness of racing an international Cup event with a premier team like Joe Gibbs Racing, highlighting how unexpected the opportunity is and how he intends to savor the moment.
“I’m driving a Cup car for Joe Gibbs at an international race. You know, this is not something I ever dreamed of doing. I just want to take it all in and have a good time.”
Rekindling Cup Series Racing Ambitions After Time Away
Though Truex has excelled in the Xfinity Series, winning three races over the past two years, his appearances this season have been limited, with just a 17th-place finish at Daytona marking his sole start. Reflecting on his last stint in the Cup Series, he acknowledged it was a challenging period that did not meet his expectations.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s, my last time in Cup was not a fun experience. It didn’t go well for me, I didn’t enjoy it,”
Truex admitted.
“That was probably not the right move for me career-wise, and kind of been fighting back since then, a little bit. But I enjoy what I do with JGR. You know, I’ve been able to race part-time the past few years and do all of my stuff away from the track, and it’s been nice. It’s fun to race part-time and get Saturdays at home, but it’s also fun to be at the track.”
This opportunity could signal a turning point, giving Truex the chance to rekindle his Cup racing ambitions in a supportive environment while balancing his roles within Joe Gibbs Racing.
Simulator Experience Gives Truex a Competitive Edge on a New Track
Ryan Truex’s extensive simulator work is a critical advantage heading into this event. As a key simulator driver, he has accumulated countless laps virtually in the Next Gen car, which prepares NASCAR teams for race conditions. This experience will serve him well at Mexico City, a venue new for most drivers in the Cup Series.
Truex’s familiarity with the car and track through simulation means he will likely have more detailed preparation than many competitors, potentially narrowing the learning curve and boosting his performance potential during the race weekend.
The Importance and Impact of Truex’s NASCAR Mexico City Debut
Truex’s substitution for Hamlin brings both personal and professional significance. On a personal level, it allows Hamlin to support his expanding family during a critical moment, while professionally, it offers Truex a rare chance to race at the highest level after years spent outside the Cup spotlight. This event could influence his future within NASCAR and possibly open doors to more regular Cup Series competition.
His role as a backup and simulator driver for Joe Gibbs Racing demonstrates the team’s trust in his abilities, and how his performance in Mexico City may bolster that confidence will be closely observed. For fans and analysts, Truex’s debut also adds an element of unpredictability to the race, heightening anticipation for his performance and the overall event outcome.