AVONDALE, Ariz. – Martin Truex Jr. is the latest NASCAR Cup Series driver who has revealed plans to get a little extra practice racing on dirt ahead of the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 28.

Truex revealed in his post-race teleconference after his victory Sunday at Phoenix Raceway that he’ll compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol on March 27 aboard a Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota with sponsorship from Auto-Owners Insurance.

“I’m excited about it,” Truex said. “I’ve only raced twice on dirt. Both of them were at (Ken) Schrader’s, having a charity race out in Missouri, did that a few times in a modified. I grown up on four-wheelers and motorcycles. It’s going to be a learning curve for sure.”

Initially when asked about his plans to gain additional experience racing on dirt, Truex was coy and didn’t confirm his plans to race in the Truck Series event at Bristol.

However, when a member of the media pointed out that Auto-Owners Insurance had already revealed the news via a social media post, Truex caved and confirmed the news.

“Damn, they spilled the beans?” Truex said laughing. “Okay, yeah, we are. We’re going to run the truck race.”

Truex has two previous Truck Series starts during his lengthy NASCAR career, both for team owner Billy Ballew. The first came at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis., in 2005 and the second came the following year at Michigan Int’l Speedway.

The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion is the third Cup Series regular to confirms plans to race in the Truck Series event at Bristol on March 27. He’ll be joined by Kevin Harvick and rookie Chase Briscoe in that event.

Truex has never won at Bristol during his career and admitted the track has been one of his worst in recent years. With that in mind, he said that throwing dirt into the mix will make it both fun and challenging.

“I look at it as Bristol has been our worst track for the past couple years,” Truex explained. “Why the heck not lay down dirt and see what we can do? I think it’s going to be fun. New challenge, something different.”