Catchfence

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Ryan Truex knows he’s inching closer to the big time now that fans and commentators are starting to confuse him and his big brother Martin, a two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion. When walking out on pit lane or when the brothers drive similarly painted Toyotas for Diamond-Waltrip Racing,  the 18-year-old Ryan is often mistakenly called Martin and vice versa.

It shouldn’t be difficult to mix up the Truex brothers this weekend at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. Ryan will race the No. 99 Aaron’s Toyota while Martin competes in Sunday’s Martinsville Sprint Cup race. Gateway marks the first time Ryan returns to a Nationwide track. A late-race wreck cost him a top-10 in his July 17 series debut there.

QUOTES

RYAN TRUEX ON BEING CONFUSED WITH HIS BROTHER: “It really doesn’t bother me.  I actually think it’s pretty cool that some of the fans and commentators have called my brother Ryan.  I have always been known as Martin’s little brother so it makes me laugh when they call him Ryan.  I really don’t think it bothers Martin either.   I guess it just means that people want to talk about me more than him these days.”

ON FOLLOWING IN HIS BROTHERS FOOTSTEPS: “They’re pretty big shoes to fill.  I have learned a lot in my first five starts from him.  The Nationwide Series is tough and there are a lot of tough competitors out there.  It took my brother a while to figure it out.  I think I put more pressure on myself than anything just to run as good as him just because of the last name and everything.  I just hope I can have the same success he had at some point in my career.”

ON RETURING TO GATEWAY: “I’m really excited. Not only because I ran there before, but the last time this team ran there they finished third with Trevor (Bayne). They have a good car for St. Louis. I ran decent there, running up as high as eighth or ninth. I like the track and it’ll be a benefit going back there after racing there once. I feel like we’ll be able to go there and run pretty strong.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST

• Ryan Truex will sign autographs from 7-8 p.m. on Friday at Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership store at 1300B Schaefer Rd., in Granite City Ill.

• Gary and Blake Bechtel along with Michael Waltrip Racing own Diamond-Waltrip Racing.  It fields Toyota Camrys out of the MWR shop in Cornelius, N.C. The Bechtels have owned cars in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series since 1990. The Morgan Hill, California residents’ teams have visited victory lane 10 times in the Nationwide Series.

• Martin Truex Jr. is 11 years, 8 months and 19 days older than Ryan Truex.

• Ryan Truex is the only teenager to win back-to-back K&N Pro Series East titles and first driver to bring a title to Michael Waltrip Racing.

• Ryan Truex will race the No. 99 for the rest of 2010 except in Texas where Martin will drive.

• Aaron’s, proud sponsor of the No. 99, will give away an autographed hat to a lucky race fan through Facebook and Twitter following any top-10 finish.  Follow Aaron’s on Twitter (@aaronssports) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/AaronsSports).

- Diamond-Waltrip Racing, Press Release