Martin Truex Jr. falls short of first Michigan win

Despite sweeping the first two stages in the Firekeepers Casino 400, Martin Truex Jr. came up one spot short of winning Monday.

Truex finished runner-up for the fourth time in the Cup Series at the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway.

“I think we just needed a little longer run,” Truex said of trying to chase down race-winner Chris Buescher. “I felt like we were a little better, but it is just really hard to pass the leader on equal tires.”

Truex scored 55 points — the most of any driver — and increased his points lead to 57 over second-place Denny Hamlin.

With three races before the start of the NASCAR Playoffs, Truex has earned 3 wins, 9 Top-5 finishes and 13 Top-10 finishes.

“Every week we feel like we have a shot to win, that is all I can ask for,” Truex said. “It’s exciting to come to the track every weekend knowing what these guys are going to bring me. Hopefully, we can keep it up.”