"We just need to figure how to make it last": Martin Truex Jr. reveals the 'tough part' for the 'big day' amid his season-best Martinsville fate

Martin Truex Jr. shared his thoughts about possibly winning the Martinsville race after securing pole position for Sunday's race. Truex Jr. believes a good tire strategy should give him a shot to win before retiring at the end of the season.

Truex Jr. is a veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver piloting the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. He debuted full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 after winning a back-to-back championship (2004, 2005) in the Busch Series, now known as the Xfinity Series.

Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Martin Truex Jr. said the No. 19 team would have to figure out a good tire strategy to win the race, particularly making the right rear tire work for the entire 500 laps.

"I think if we can do that tomorrow and keep the car turning, we'll have a shot at a really big day," Truex Jr. said. [0:49]

He added:

"Next Gen has been a little tough racing here on us, you know, with the No. 19, but we've been fast. We just need to figure how to make it last. That's been the tough part." [1:02]

The 34-time Cup race winner clocked a 19.686-second lap time to put his car on pole for the race. Notably, the driver set a lap time of 19.584 seconds during the first round of the qualifying session, which is the fastest by a Next Gen car around the 0.526-mile track.

Chase Elliott joins Martin Truex Jr. in the front row after topping Group A with a lap time of 19.758 seconds. The top five starting positions are completed by William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs, respectively.

Martin Truex Jr. driving the No. 19 Toyota Camry at Martinsville Speedway - Source: Imagn

The Xfinity 500 from Martinsville Speedway is scheduled for November 3. It is the penultimate race before the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, where the final four drivers will compete for the championship.

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"Phoenix's been hit-or-miss": When Martin Truex Jr. felt he couldn't win at Martinsville and Phoenix

Before the Las Vegas playoff race, Martin Truex Jr. was asked about which track he thought a race win was up for grabs. While the New Jersey native felt confident winning at Las Vegas and Homestead-Miami, he shared his doubts over the Martinsville and Phoenix races.

Per Frontstretch, the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing driver said:

"Honestly, I’m not sure. I think […] this track and Homestead are probably two of our better tracks […] I feel good about the next couple of weeks,” Truex Jr. said. [0:58]

He added:

“Martinsville, it’s not been that great with this car. Phoenix’s been hit-or-miss so I think the next two weeks are pretty big for us and I’m excited about them."

Fast forward to today; Martin Truex Jr. scored his first pole position of the season at Martinsville Speedway. He understands a good tire strategy would give him a chance to park his car in victory lane, possibly for the last time before retiring from full-time competition.