Truex Jr. Can Clinch Second Busch Series Title at Phoenix

Martin Truex Jr.

Martin Truex Jr. will clinch his second straight NASCAR Busch Series championship Saturday at Phoenix if he gains 106 or more points over second-place Clint Bowyer, thereby leading by 190 points or more heading to the last race of 2005 at Homestead-Miami. The maximum points that a driver can gain (or lose) in a race is 156. Also, Truex will win the title if he gains 72 or more points on Bowyer at Phoenix and starts at Homestead.

Conversely, the maximum points a driver can lose in a race is 156. Truex could leave Phoenix in second place by as many as 72 points behind Bowyer. Carl Edwards, who stands in third place, is still mathematically eligible for the championship entering Phoenix.

Truex is seeking to become the first repeat champion in the NASCAR Busch Series since 1998-99 when his Chance 2 Motorsports co-owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., accomplished the feat. There have been five drivers who have won two championships; four have won titles in consecutive years.

Sam Ard was the first repeat champion in NASCAR Busch Series history and the first driver to win titles in consecituve seasons in 1983-84. Jack Ingram followed with his two championships in 1982 and '85. Larry Pearson won back-to-back crowns in 1986-87, then Randy LaJoie (1996-97) and Earnhardt Jr. (1998-99) followed as the last two-time winners.