In a heart-wrenching announcement, the NASCAR community is grieving the loss of Sherry Pollex, a beloved and enduring presence within the sport. Sherry Pollex, known as the longtime girlfriend of NASCAR Cup Series star Martin Truex Jr., passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 44 after a valiant nine-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Sherry Pollex’s journey in NASCAR was intertwined with her family’s deep connection to the racing world. She was the daughter of the esteemed NASCAR car owner, Greg Pollex, whose PPC Racing team clinched the 2000 championship in what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with driver Jeff Green behind the wheel.
In the mid-2000s, Sherry Pollex found herself working in the public relations domain of the racing industry. It was during this time that she crossed paths with Martin Truex Jr., a rising star who would go on to win back-to-back Xfinity titles in 2004 and 2005 before transitioning to the Cup Series in 2006. Their connection blossomed, marking the beginning of an 18-year relationship that endured until the couple announced their separation just prior to the commencement of the 2023 season.
The turning point in Sherry Pollex’s life came in August 2014 when she received a life-altering diagnosis of ovarian cancer. This marked the initiation of her remarkable nine-year battle against the disease. Throughout this challenging journey, she became a beacon of hope and inspiration within the NASCAR community. Her unwavering spirit and resilience provided tremendous support to Martin Truex Jr., especially during his triumphant run to the 2017 Cup Series championship.
Beyond the racetrack, Sherry Pollex and Martin Truex Jr. dedicated themselves to philanthropy, championing various causes related to cancer through the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. Their efforts focused primarily on childhood and ovarian cancers. Notably, the foundation organized the annual “Catwalk for a Cause,” a heartwarming fashion show for children battling pediatric cancer. Over the years, this event has seen numerous NASCAR drivers and personalities come together to make a difference. The most recent Catwalk, held just this past Wednesday, witnessed a standing ovation in honor of Sherry Pollex, even though she was unable to attend.
Sherry Pollex’s commitment to cancer advocacy extended to her creation of SherryStrong.org, a platform aimed at educating women about early detection and treatment options for ovarian cancer. Additionally, she played an instrumental role in establishing the “Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic” at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Reflecting on her cancer advocacy in July 2022, Sherry Pollex shared, “I often wonder if that’s my purpose here. It’s maybe not what I would have chosen for myself — nobody really wants to be the poster child for any type of cancer — but maybe I’m supposed to go through all this so I can pave the way for other women. On some days, that can be a really hard pill to swallow. But on other days, it’s like, ‘You know, I’ve been given this really important role in this life, and if I’m going to leave a legacy behind and help other people, then I need to do it 100 percent.'”
The Pollex family has requested privacy during this difficult time. NASCAR and its fans are left with the enduring legacy of Sherry Pollex’s indomitable spirit and her profound impact on raising awareness about ovarian cancer and supporting those in need.
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