Truex doesn't mind pressure of being title favorite: "Bring it on"

 Not that that’s a news flash. Jimmie Johnson has won seven titles in the last 11 years. 

Yet sitting around a table with four veteran broadcasters on Tuesday—and a former driver and crew chiefs turned TV analysts — the sentiment from all but one was the same: Statistically, Truex should win. But Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch both have the killer instinct to close the deal. 

Harvick concurred after Sunday’s Monster Energy Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway.

“Three of us have won championships, and Martin has won a lot of races this year,” Harvick said. “The pressure is really on the 78 (Truex) and the 18 (Busch). Those guys have dominated the year, and I feel like if they don't win at this point, they would probably feel like they've had a letdown.  

“It's a lot of fun coming from behind and playing catch‑up and kind of playing that underdog role is much easier than being expected to go down there and win. We expect to win.”

Truex isn’t buying it—any of it. And why should he? His average finish in the first nine races of the Playoffs is 4.66. He’s won one-third of the races, led 529 laps and posted career-best finishes at each of the last four tracks. 

“It doesn't work on me,” Truex said of Harvick’s banter. “If I'm the favorite, perfect, I like that. I think it's a better position to be in. I was the underdog before and I finished fourth, so yeah, bring it on.”

Although this is only Truex’s fifth appearance in the postseason in 12 years and his second trip to the Championship 4, he’s led the Monster Energy Cup Series standings for more than half of the season.

No pressure

So when confronted with the resumes of his three contenders and the fact that they have won title and he hasn’t Truex replied, “That means it's my turn.

“I don't think it's any extra pressure at all. I have a lot of respect for all three of these guys. Two of them were in the Final Four when I made it in 2015. Definitely have a little bit of experience in this position, but you know, honestly just excited about the opportunity. I feel like we're in a whole lot better spot as a team than we were the first time we had a shot at it, and we're going to go out there and just do the best job we can do.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in our team right now and what we're doing, and I think today was a perfect example of that for us, so just keep doing what we're doing, go down to Miami and just have fun and do what we know how to do. Do the best job we possibly can and hopefully come out on top.”

Unfortunately, Truex will have to battle for the title this weekend without the man that brought him to the dance. Furniture Row Racing team owner Barney Visser had a heart attack on Nov. 4 and bypass surgery two days later. Visser was released from the hospital last Friday and is recuperating in Denver and won’t attend this weekend’s activities in Miami. 

“He's in good spirits, and he said he's got very strong veins and a lot of determination and said he'll be back soon,” Truex said. “He's excited about what we're doing, and he's glad the doctors found what was going on, and I think he'll be feeling a whole lot better going forward, which is always great.”

Visser's impact

After spending the last four seasons behind the wheel of the No. 78 car, Truex can’t imagine where his career would be without Visser. He’s collected 12 of his 14 career wins and qualified for the Playoffs over the last three years.

“It would certainly be a lot different, I'm sure, the story for me and my career would be a lot different if it wasn't for him and his team and what he's built,” Truex said. “Just so proud of what he's done and so proud to be a part of his team, and I feel like we've come so far together in just four years.  

“It's really amazing. Just thankful and glad he's healthy and healing up, and he's going to be able to join us again at the racetrack pretty soon.” 

While Visser hasn't always been the team’s good luck charm, Truex wishes he was coming this weekend nonetheless to share the experience and potentially Furniture Row Racing’s first Cup championship. 

“It's definitely a bummer,” Truex said. “For a long time, he thought he was bad luck because we only won when he was not here. So if we do win it next weekend and he's not there, he may never show up again.   

“In all honesty, we definitely wish he was there, but he'll be there in spirit.  He's a huge part of this team, and everybody has got him on their mind as the weekend goes on, as we're doing our jobs, and we know we wouldn't be here without him.  He means a ton to us, and we're going to try to go get this one for him.”