Sherry Pollex, a cancer advocate, a long-time fixture of the NASCAR garage and former partner of Martin Truex Jr., lost her battle with ovarian cancer on Sunday (Sept. 17), according to a statement from her family. Pollex was 44.
Pollex was most recently given a standing ovation at the “Catwalk for a Cause” charity event held by Truex’s foundation on Thursday, though she was unable to attend the event.
Although she is known for her long-time relationship with Truex, her background in NASCAR extends to her father Greg Pollex, former owner of PPC Racing which won the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series championship with driver Jeff Green. She and Truex were in a relationship up until earlier this year, when the 2017 Cup champion announced the two had agreed to mutually separate.
Truex released the following statement.
Her list of accomplishments outside racing include founding the Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic in Charlotte, as well as serving as an inspiration to the entire racing community.
“If you really look at your life, no matter what your situation is or how bad your disease is, there’s always something to be thankful for when you wake up in the morning,” Pollex told Coping Magazine in 2019.
NASCAR released a statement Sunday afternoon addressing Pollex’s passing.
“NASCAR is saddened to learn of the passing of Sherry Pollex, whose fight against cancer and determination to help others through the Sherry Strong Foundation was an inspiration to all who knew her,” it read. “NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation’s thoughts and prayers are with Sherry’s family and friends.”
Garrett joined Frontstretch as a news writer in 2023, and became a fantasy racing and betting writer in 2024. Hailing from the heart of coal country in southern West Virginia, he's a married father of three and currently enrolled in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at New River Community Technical College in Beaver, WV.
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