CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Martin Truex Jr. fired his pit crew after a botched final stop at Richmond, and Michael Waltrip Racing responded Tuesday with four personnel changes for the driver.
Truex doesn't have any actual authority to fire his crew, but he did over his team radio Saturday night when a bad stop cost him a decent finish.
"I appreciate the fact that MWR addressed the issue and we're moving on," Truex said in a statement.
Truex has had a tough year despite having strong cars through the first part of the season. His good runs have been ruined by either mechanical issues or crew mistakes, and he goes into this Saturday night's race at Darlington Raceway ranked 22nd in the standings with just one top-10 finish.
"We had a very good car at Richmond. It was the best car I've ever had there," Truex said. "We've run well and have very little to show for it. But in Richmond, it was hard not to say anything when our night ended the way it did. I got pretty upset. We pour our entire lives into NASCAR and it is not an easy sport. If a job is not getting done, then a change needs to be made."
Truex will have new tire carriers and tire changers for both the front and the rear of the No. 56 Toyota. Two of the crew members come from MWR's backup crew, while two were promoted from the Nationwide Series.
"As we know, the No. 56 has experienced several challenges on pit road and we feel the need to intervene," MWR director of competition Steve Hallam said. "Pit crews are professional sportsmen and as such, they understand that sometimes changes need to be made."
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.