Truex Jr. gets jump start on Nextel Cup career July 25, 2004 LOUDON, N.H. | Martin Truex Jr. planned to start his Nextel Cup career at New Hampshire International Speedway -- just not this soon.
Truex replaced injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. in practice and qualifying Friday and is set to relieve Earnhardt at the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet sometime early today in the Siemens 300. The 24-year-old driver, who leads the NASCAR Busch Series driving for Earnhardt's Chance 2 Motorsports team, took advantage of the opportunity and qualified third in his Cup debut. He trailed only pole winner Ryan Newman, whose lap of 132.360 mph -- as the last of 46 drivers in the qualifying line -- knocked series points leader Jimmie Johnson's 131.984 off the top spot. Truex was next at 131.660. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
