Pearn was also quick to add that his chemistry with Truex has made the adaptation to a larger team easier because the two haven’t had to change their style, they’ve just brought it to a new location.
“Martin and I have just always had an easy relationship between the two of us,” Pearn added. “I never, ever dreamt that when I took over as his crew chief, we’d be sitting here with as many wins as we’ve had together. It just still blows my mind. There was a time when we were just hoping that we could knock out some top-10 finishes, and looking back now on what we’ve been able to do is great. We’re just so fortunate to work with so many special people on our team and now to be part of a big organization with that many more special people than what we had before.
“People are everything that makes this sport and makes the team, so it’s really cool.”
While team owner Joe Gibbs knew when he hired Truex and Pearn that the goal was to win races as a group, even he didn’t anticipate the kind of hot start that the pair has gotten on with the No. 19 team.
“We were just so excited to be able to bring Martin and Cole on in the first place,” said Gibbs. “Toyota, they were always a big part of that, strategy‑wise, and by the fact that Cole and the 78 (team) with Martin were already in the Toyota camp. But it was a big deal for us, and we certainly didn’t want to lose them, because you could see how talented they were.
“You never know what’s going to happen when you make a move like that, and I think particularly for Cole and Martin … working in a small group in a small environment, I was kind of worried when they came over with us that a bigger structure might bother them,” Gibbs continued. “I think you can see they’ve hit their stride, though, and it’s obviously great for us.”
Now, just as quickly as Truex came into the fold at JGR, he’s firmly established his place within the team as a leader and a power player when it comes to contending for more race victories and a series title.
Even still, he and Pearn have done their part to be team players within the larger four-car group, sharing notes with teammates Busch, Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones in an effort to strengthen the whole team.
That’s something Gibbs views as critical to the success of every member of his organization.
“I think in our technical meetings … all four of our teams sharing everything is a big deal,” noted Gibbs. “Drivers, crew chiefs, nobody holds anything back. I think it’s the thrill of this sport, which I really love, because it’s very unusual. You’ve got four teams, and four teams that have to work together to succeed, and that’s real teamwork. It’s hard to get done. But our guys really respect each other; the drivers do, and the crew chiefs do, and that makes a big difference.
“We’ve got a great support group there that just works their guts out, and I feel it’s showing right now.”