DOVER, Del. — Martin Truex Jr. waited a lifetime for the triumphant feeling of winning a Cup race.

When he took the checkered flag at Dover International Speedway in June 2007, Truex’s boyhood dream came true — at a spot he considers his hometown track.

More than five years later, in what only seems like a lifetime in NASCAR, Truex is still waiting for his second win.

Sunday would be a great time to get one. Truex needs a victory in a hurry if he wants to jumpstart his already fading championship pursuit.

He showed flashes Friday in the No. 56 Toyota that he should be in the thick of contention for a win when he posted the fastest time in the first practice with a speed of 157.082 mph.