Five things about ... 'bad golfer' Martin Truex Jr.

For years, Martin Truex Jr. has been recognized as the dark-featured driver in the Bass Pro Shops car -- virtually the only sponsor the Cup Series driver has ever known.

Next season he joins a different team, Michael Waltrip Racing, and partners with a new sponsor, Napa Auto Parts.

While it's a big change, some things will always remain the same for this New Jersey native who has since acquired a southern frame of mind.

1. He'll always be a bad golfer ...

If you've ever seen basketball star Charles Barkley swing a golf club, then you have a small idea of what Truex's swing looks like.

"My swing is not that ugly, but I can do a whole lot of damage. The last two times I've played, I've broken drivers. I break them when I hit the ball. Like I hit half the ball and half the ground. I can do things on the golf course I guarantee you never seen before."

Nevertheless, he won't give up the game.

To raise money for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, the driver is hosting a golf tournament Sept. 22 at the Seaview Resort & Spa in New Jersey and the following night Truex will host his inaugural charity poker tournament at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. Both events are open to the public and will help build a pediatrics unit at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Truex's hometown hospital.

2. He'll always be fiscally conservative ...

Just because you have it, doesn't mean you should spend it: Words to live by according to Truex, who said he's been called "cheap" on more than one occasion.

"I can be kind of cheap, but I don't know if you would call me a penny-pincher or not. I'm just always thinking about what if and being smart about money. I don't live outside my means or anything and lots of people call me cheap but I think it's being smart. I always tell people, the greatest deals are always free."

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3. He'll always have his man cave ...

Decorated with Philadelphia Eagles memorabilia, several televisions and a larger-than-life-size statute of Captain Morgan, the ambiance in the Truex man cave is second to none.

"This was the first thing in my entire life that I had the chance to build myself, it was my first swing at really doing something I wanted to do and do it my way. It started as our garage with some storage and a trophy room, then I got a little carried away and decided to turn it into another little house with a bedroom and full kitchen. It really defines my lifestyle and me and I spend a lot of time out there. I'm glad I did it the way I wanted and didn't skimp on anything."

4. He'll always fish with the girls ...

Known to be a fierce bass fisherman, when Truex is not competing in a serious tournament, he's on Lake Norman in North Carolina with his two best girls: significant other, Sherry Pollex, and Yellow Labrador, Lexi.

"Sherry's fun meter gets pegged pretty fast so she starts reading her book and in 30 minutes I have to take her home to pee. Meanwhile, the dog tries to eat the fish I catch! For one, Lexi knows how to get what she wants and she loves to swim. When she hears the drag on the spinning reel she is ready to pounce. She looks down at the water and seriously tries to bite the fish. She keeps barking at me until I let her sniff the fish, then you throw it back and she's mad."

5. He'll always help a brother out ...

Younger brother Ryan Truex is a development driver for Michael Waltrip Racing. He and Truex may share a Nationwide Series car next season.

"Hopefully we'll get to race together. I help him out as much as I can. I've really been involved in his career the last three years and it's been really rewarding for me to see how his talent has developed. He's amazing to watch, it's like he's been racing his whole life. He's had a lot of success in a short amount of time."