Martin Truex Jr.

Martin Truex Jr.s path to NASCAR started with countless hours riding the waves of the Atlantic Ocean in his youth, hoisting nets full of clams for his fathers family-owned seafood business in Mayetta, N.J.

The money earned working for his dad, who also owns a pretty impressive racing resume, allowed the younger Truex to polish his skills as a driver in the go-karts and Northeastern modifieds. Success led to the NASCAR world where he won back-to-back Nationwide Series championships and earned a full-time ride in the Sprint Cup Series.

Carving out a role as an established driver in the highest form of stock car racing in the world is a notable achievement, but its just a start for Truex. With one Sprint Cup trophy on the mantel from his 2007 Dover victory, Truex plans to earn many more in 2012 as he embarks on his third season driving the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry. He demonstrated speed in 2011, winning the pole at Dover and leading 153 laps. He closed the season with four top-10 finishes in the final five races including a third-place finish in the Homestead-Miami Speedway finale.

Truex continues to make his mark beyond the track. Hell once again play a key role in launching a new phase of the NAPA KNOW HOW marketing campaign along with participating in his weekly Sirius Speedway and monthly Bob and Tom radio segments. In 2012, the driver stars in several fan-oriented commercials scheduled to air on national television as well as NASCAR race broadcasts.

The 31-year-old also hasnt moved far away from his down-to-earth roots, as giving back to the community is a huge priority in his life. In just four years, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation has raised more than $750,000 for community programs and initiatives such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolinas Backpack Program and building the Martin Truex Jr. Pediatric Unit at Southern Ocean County Hospital in N.J. Like his victory totals, Truex plans to increase those numbers in the coming years.