Newbie News: Martin Truex's Little Brother Ryan Gets Second Win

Ryan Truex, the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr., is most certainly following in his big brother's tracks at Michael Waltrip Racing, where Ryan is a development driver and Martin has just announced his joining MWR in 2010.  

Ryan is also following in Martin's winning ways in the Camping World Series East, where Martin made his mark before moving to the Cup series.

Ryan Truex, the 17-year-old up and coming driver, secured his second win of the East season at Thompson International Speedway in Connecticut.  Young Truex battled wily veteran Steve Park for most of the Pepsi Full Fender Frenzy 100 race to secure the win.

While Park qualified on the pole for the race, Truex put up a respectable qualifying lap.  He qualified in the sixth position in his No. 00 NAPA Toyota.

Although starting in the sixth spot, by lap 8, Truex had passed Matt Kobyluck, East series legend and immediate past champion, for the fourth position. 

Truex continued his march forward and by lap 24 passed nemesis Matt DiBenedetto, who beat Truex out for the win at the last East race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, for the third spot.

By lap 50, the halfway point of the race, Truex had caught up to Park to secure the second position.  As the laps wound down, Truex got closer and closer, almost touching Park's car.

Finally, on lap 75, Truex took a look inside and passed Park.  But the caution flag flew for the fifth time when Jody Lavendar spun out on lap 91, putting Truex and Park back in close proximity.

When the green flag flew on lap 94, Truex spun the tires on the restart.  With the field bunched up behind Truex, Steve Park made a veteran move to get around the young driver yet again.

But on lap 96, the young gun again made his move, taking the lead for the final time over Park.  Truex went on to take the white and then the checkered flag to secure his second career victory in the NASCAR Camping World Series East season.

The top finishers were as follows:

1.   Ryan Truex

2.   Steve Park

3.   Matt DiBenedetto

4.   Eddie MacDonald

5.   Alan Tardiff

6.   Matt Kobyluck

7.   Jesus Hernandez

8.   Ryan Duff

9.   Jonathan Smith

Ryan Truex is indeed following closely behind his big brother Martin in so many ways.  Both drivers have garnered attention based on their good performances in the Camping World East series.

But now the Truex brothers are "team mates" if you will, with Ryan driving for MWR as a developmental driver and Martin taking over the full-time ride of Michael Waltrip in 2010.

If the pattern holds true, little brother Ryan may someday be a full teammate with big brother Martin at Michael Waltrip Racing.

And that's your Newbie News for today, with congratulations to Ryan Truex for his Camping World Series East win at Thompson International Speedway.

Photo Credit:  Gary Buchanan outside the media center of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.