The 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season began with some saying, “Martin Truex, Jr. who?”. Well, that’s certainly not the case now.

In just his first full Busch season, the Mayetta, NJ native not only won the Bud Pole Award for his first race (Daytona), but went on to earn six more. He won six races and, for the second time in Busch history, became the first driver to win the Busch Series championship in his first full season.

Now, everyone in NASCAR not only knows who Martin Truex, Jr. is, but the fact he’s a champion, as well.

Chance 2 Motorsports is co-owned by Teresa Earnhardt, CEO and President of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. After a limited schedule in 2003, the team took the full-time approach with the help of seven different sponsors.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Martin Truex, Martin Jr. started racing Modifieds and moved to the Busch North Series out of their New Jersey shop. Picking up a victory and two poles in 2001, Truex Jr. was 12th in points. In 2000, his dad gave up his own seat in the Busch North car allowing his son to gain more experience. In 2002, Martin Jr. competed in the Busch North Series and made four Busch Series starts.

In 2002, he earned a series-high six Bud Pole Awards setting three different track records. With six top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes in 23 races, the 23-year old native of Mayetta, N.J. finished 11th in points. In 2003, Martin continued to race with his family-owned team in the North Series and won two races while driving a limited schedule.

The 2003 season was a breakout year for Truex, Jr. in the Busch Series as he made his debut with Chance 2 Motorsports at Richmond in May. He was a top-10 contender and even lead several laps before mechanical problems put him in the pits.

After that, he showed he was worthy of a chance to compete full time in the Busch Series when he earned his first top-10 at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. He earned two, consecutive second-place finishes at Rockingham and Homestead to close out the year. Coincidentally, he earned his first Busch victory at Bristol in April of 2004.

The 2005 season will have Martin returning to the No. 8 Chevrolet of Chance 2, but with only one primary sponsor. Bass Pro Shops announced a full-time commitment to Chance 2 last full where he’ll also run seven Nextel Cup events for the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team of DEI.

A first time champion and now the defending champion – look for Chance 2 and Martin to go for two in 2005.

Hometown: Mayetta, NJ Resides: Mooresville, NC Date of Birth: 6/29/80 Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Martial Status: Single Parents: Martin and Linda Truex Sister: Marcia Truex Brother: Ryan Truex Hero: Father Favorite Sport Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, '76ers Favorite Movies: The Big Lebowski, The Ladies Man Favorite Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd Favorite Meal: Steak & shrimp Favorite Vacation Spot: Islamorada, FL (great deep-sea fishing) Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, four-wheelers, snowboarding and racing on the computer If I wasn’t racing: I would work for the family business; Seawatch Proudest Moment: Winning the 2004 Busch Championship Favorite Models: All of them Favorite Web Site: www.daleearnhardtinc.com Favorite Vehicles: '69 camaro, '05 corvette