“It would have been great to have a fighting chance.” Unfortunately, Martin Truex Jr.’s expectations fell short. The No. 19 Toyota driver aimed for a fairytale conclusion to his impressive 34-win Cup Series career but faced the opposite outcome.
Instead of mirroring his 2017 championship run, he found himself reliving the struggles of his rookie season.
After his playoff exit, his disappointing performances were evident, with finishes of 20th or worse since Pocono, where he last finished in the top ten. A mere 0.09 seconds cost him a spot in the Round of 12.
His playoff woes included a crash in Atlanta and a speeding penalty at Bristol, leading to a 24th-place finish. According to a NASCAR expert, his average finish over the last eight races, 28.38, marked his worst since his early days in the sport.
Though Truex had a strong start to 2024, including leading points and four top-fives, his performance plummeted after Kansas. Prominent figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick voiced concerns about his team’s struggles.
As he neared retirement, Truex seemed to have lost his championship opportunity, leaving fans wondering if he could still end his career with a victory.
