The Jersey Boy Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 78 Toyota is the 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Champion. The regular season champion has earned this years championship as he has been the most consistent driver throughout the season accumulating more points and big wins to complete a dream season.
Truex was this seasons top driver, therefore the victory was entirely appropriate as he achieved his eighth win of the year, led for 78 laps in the race and accumulated 2,253 total laps in the lead for a single season. This record is also tops in the series history.
This title has been 12 years in the making with many ups and downs along the way in a rollercoaster career. The New Jersey native just never gave up following his dream. Truex held off Kyle Busch by .681 seconds in the No. 18 Toyota during the final laps to capture the championship.
Truex was the favorite entering the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the final race in the Championship 4, the Furniture Row Racing team has dominated on the 1.5 mile tracks all season long giving them an edge with seven wins.
With Busch in the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, finishing in second place, Kyle Larson finished third, Kevin Harvick fourth, Chase Elliott fifth, Joey Logano sixth, Brad Keselowski seventh, Matt Kenseth eighth, Denny Hamlin ninth and Ryan Newman tenth. The Championship 4 drivers finished in first Truex, second Busch, fourth Harvick and seventh Keselowski all in the top ten which is the way it was expected to be prior to the race. All three Championship 4 drivers were determined to get a shot at their second NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series championship.
However, it was Truex time to enjoy after many bouts with heartbreak during this season. This championship victory was Truex first ever for the 37 year old driver in the black No. 78 Toyota.
Miami was also Dale Earnhardt’s last NASCAR race in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Truex and Earnhardt are close friends and he held Busch behind him during the 34 lap green flag race to the finish line.
With the 2017 NASCAR season officially over, this writer would like to thank our local race fans for following along all season and appreciate your comments and support. This will be our last race recap until Sunday February 18th when the 2018 NASCAR season will kick-off at Daytona International Speedway at 2:30 pm eastern.
