Inductee: Martin Truex Jr.

            Our next inductee had his roots in surfing but traded his surfboard in for a racecar. This Jersey boy has made his mark in the racing world, first getting his stamp of approval from Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Martin Truex Jr. has been the Monster Energy Cup Series Champion and the Monster Energy Cup Regular Series Champion as well. He won the Busch Series twice and many other races and honors.

However, his accolades as a driver are matched, if not exceeded, by his outstanding achievements in his community.

Truex’s Foundation is about six years old now and has raised over a million dollars for community programs and initiatives. Some of the programs include Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack Program, which feeds hungry children throughout the school year and The Dove House and Pat’s Place, which are child abuse advocacy centers.

Truex is actively involved in the medical needs of children as well. He was able to fund and open the Martin Truex Jr. Pediatric Care unit at Southern Ocean Medical Center in his hometown.

Truex is very passionate about child help and advocacy, but became very passionate about pediatric cancer specifically when, in 2008, his girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, shared with him the growing financial needs of families as their child goes through treatment.

As a result, they created a Special Needs Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital. Through this, the Truex Foundation was able to partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation to launch a Ryan Seacrest Studio in the lobby of the hospital so that the kids can have some fun and excitement.

In 2014, Truex was, unfortunately, plunged into a whole new world of cancer aid. His longtime girlfriend Sherry was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Truex says they’ve adopted the No. 78 team motto into their personal lives, “Never give up.”

Martin says, “No one has lived that out more than my life partner, Sherry. She is the true champion.”

And they did not give up.

Martin and Sherry created the SherryStrong Spin Along in a few of the locations they’ve called home. It combines wheels and the outstanding strength in fighting cancer.

SherryStrong is the foundation Sherry began within the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation when she was diagnosed. Its goal is to support and educate women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The couple has raised well over $100,000 to support women facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis with this event.

The two have really faced an incredible amount of adversity yet turned it into a positive thing. That is incredibly inspiring.

Martin Truex Jr., overall, has shown us that selflessness and service come first. While he is an outstanding and well-recognized NASCAR driver, he has continued to find ways to help others first.

Martin Truex Jr. is changing the world. His story is beautiful and his passion to give back is fueled by it. That is why I am so honored and proud to welcome Martin Truex Jr. to the Good Guy Hall of Fame!