THE MODERATOR: Martin, you had a big weekend, got your Top 5 finish, your thoughts about your performance out there today.

MARTIN TRUEX, JR.: Well, it was okay. We pretty much struggled with the car throughout the race, real proud of the work the guys did in the pit. Pretty much complained about the car all day long and just kept working on it getting it better and better, and it feels good to get a good finish finally. We’ve had a rough stretch here. We’ve had some great cars and a lot better than what we had tonight. So it feels good to finally get them something that they deserve.

Q: Martin, were you watching that step up front and thinking, man, I hope these guys get a little rambunctious and think I might slide in one here?

MARTIN TRUEX, JR.: Absolutely. I didn’t want to wreck, but I was hoping I would get the guys to slow down enough so I could catch them and maybe make it a three?man race. That’s all you can do. We didn’t have a good enough car to win, obviously, and we were happy to be where we were. We definitely had a shot and never gave up until it was over with.

Q: Million-dollar question. Is Jimmie in the driver’s seat now? Is it his championship to win now or not?

MARTIN TRUEX, JR.: I think yes. My personal opinion, I don’t have any reasons.

Q: Earlier in the week, you touched on the fact how proud you were of the guys that they were able to get the guys rebuilt after it got torn up in Atlanta. Coming back to finish third today, what’s your opinion on how everything went?

MARTIN TRUEX, JR.: Well, I’m still proud of them. We had a great weekend and sat on the pole for the first time and just real proud of their efforts throughout the season. We’ve had a real up?and?down sort of year. We made the Chase, which was a huge deal for us, and, you know, we won our first race and we thought we had a shot.

We’ve really run well in all the Chase races and we haven’t had much to show for it, so it’s been frustrating. So for them to keep their heads up and working as hard as they have and keep bringing race cars for me as good as they have, I’m real proud of them.

[GM Racing]

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