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Tragedy struck the NASCAR world over the weekend with the passing of Sherry Pollex from ovarian cancer.
Pollex, 44, was a mainstay in the NASCAR paddock for several years as the longtime girlfriend of driver Martin Truex Jr.
She was heavily involved in charity work and philanthropy and came be known as one of the most familiar faces in the garage.
However, Truex Jr. and Pollex went their separate ways in January.
After news of Pollex’s passing became public, Truex Jr. released the following statement.
Statement from Martin Truex Jr. on
the death of his former partner, Sherry Pollex: pic.twitter.com/lwCMpLdIJN— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2023
“From the very minute of her diagnosis, Sherry was determined to not only fight ovarian cancer with everything she had, but also make a difference in the lives of others battling this terrible disease,” the statement began.
“Sherry’s passion for making a difference in the lives of others was inspiring to everyone. Through her tireless charity work for so many years, her legacy will live well beyond our lifetimes and continue to help countless families who are battling ovarian and childhood cancer.
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to her entire family, who have shown incredible strength and resilience throughout her battle.”
The statement sat well with some, but not all.
Among those who felt Truex Jr. should have said more was former driver turned broadcaster Danica Patrick.
Patrick took to Instagram to make her feelings on the statement, and Truex Jr., known.
Danica Patrick/Instagram
“I avoid negativity on social media at almost all costs. Almost…,” she said on an Instagram story. “But this is the most insensitive disconnected statement from a guy that I have never liked. And obviously for good reason. I don’t care what happened between them but this is as cold as it gets. A PR rep wrote this guaranteed. You’re free from this now Sherry.”
If you read this statement by Martin Truex Jr and didn’t know better you’d think he barely knew Sherry. Did he really need a PR team to write and release a statement about her death? It felt so disconnected to the situation.
— Brandon Hitchcock (@jbhitch04) September 18, 2023
that seems a little cold and generic. Like something his rep would write for him. Might have been better to say nothing at all.
— Donna P. (@LanaChulala) September 18, 2023
But others felt Patrick was way out of line.
https://twitter.com/Davistar1986/status/1704081359847743754
I've lost respect for Danica Patrick as a result of this Instagram story.
What did Martin Truex Jr. ever do to you?
No one knows why they broke up with Sherry. All we know is they ended their relationship and remained friends, end of story. pic.twitter.com/l6Vi0qCpZ0
— Matt Nelson (@MattNel23) September 18, 2023
Danica Patrick bis nothing but a self absorbed narcissist. Everyone has their own way of grieving a loss. Her insistence on interjecting her feelings onto someone else is disgusting and screams of someone looking to stay relevant. https://t.co/tlPKHfqpUe
— danielsem2004⚫️bsky⚫️social (@danielSEM2004) September 19, 2023
Something tells us Patrick won’t be in or around a NASCAR race anytime soon.