Big weekend ahead for the Truex family at Dover

Martin Truex Jr. will race in the Nationwide Series at Dover International Speedway for the first time in two years Saturday, driving for Phoenix Racing in the Dover 200.

It may be Truex's best opportunity to win a NASCAR national series race this season. The Monster Mile not only is Truex's hometown track, but also where he has been the most successful in his career. Truex, from Mayetta, N.J., won back-to-back Nationwide races in his championship seasons of 2004 and 2005 and took his sole Cup Series triumph in 2007 at Dover.

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Truex has struggled in Cup in his final year with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. He's 24th in points, without a top-five and has three top-10s going into Sunday's AAA 400. Truex finished 21st in the previous Cup race at Dover this year.

Truex warmed up for Dover by finishing sixth with Phoenix in his first Nationwide start of the season in the previous race at Richmond. He has made 12 starts in the series the past four seasons, including a second-place run at Dover in September 2007. Truex has led laps in his last six races there.

The Truex family is hoping for a big weekend. Ryan Truex, Martin's 17-year-old brother, can clinch the Camping World East Series title by finishing fourth or better in Friday's Sunoco 150. It will be Ryan Truex's debut at Dover.

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Always popular at Dover, Martin Truex Jr., through his foundation, gave something back to fans this week. He donated 100 tickets for Sunday's Cup race. The recipients were chosen from a list of people who did not renew from last season. They were selected based upon letters or personal stories on why they could not afford to renew.

"When we heard that Dover had a list of fans who wanted to come to the race but couldn't for one reason or another, we decided to take care of them," Truex said. "The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation is always looking for new ways to help those in need in the NASCAR community, and we felt this was a great way to support fans who wanted to be at the race in Dover. Dover obviously has a special place in my heart."

THREE TO WATCH

Hamlin

Denny Hamlin, No. 20: Hamlin has two wins and six top-10s in eight starts at Dover. He's red-hot in the Cup Series, and his Nationwide ride is stout. That's a good combination.

Clint Bowyer, No. 29: One of Bowyer's seven career Nationwide wins came at Dover (2006). He finished third in May for his sixth top-10 in seven starts.

Carl Edwards, No. 60: Edwards is the opposite of Hamlin: Ice-cold in the Cup Series. But Nationwide is another story. He has four wins this season and his record is excellent at Dover with one win and seven top-10s in nine races. He also qualifies very well at the Monster Mile -- his average start is 5.9.

TRACK CHATTER

Brad Keselowski: "I'm obviously excited to get back to Dover this weekend because of the past success we've had there as a team. Getting our first win of the season in the spring was a huge boost for me and my guys and started us on a roll into the summer. That was such a great day for everyone at JR Motorsports. We are bringing back that same car with us this time, and I hope to have the same results as well. I really don't know what it is about these concrete tracks, but my racing style is just well-suited for them. It's very important to me that I continue to perform well for this team, and I know we have a few more wins in us before the season is over."

Chad Walter, crew chief for Justin Allgaier: "Dover is a great place to race. It is close racing for 200 laps. As a crew chief, you have to get the car comfortable for the driver to be aggressive every once in a while. The car has to be predictable so when the driver sees an opening he can take it."