Another Bristol race ended in disappointment for Martin Truex Jr. With 165 laps remaining, the #19 team received a speeding penalty on pit road during what might have been their final stop of the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Having finished 4th and 2nd in the first two stages, Truex seemed poised to overcome his initial 14-point deficit. However, with under 150 laps to go, that gap widened by six points, pushing him further from the cutline.
The speeding penalty sent Truex to the back of the field just as he was battling for the lead in second place. According to journalist Bob Pockrass, this incident had significant playoff implications for Truex and his crew. The pressure appeared to weigh heavily on the seasoned driver, who expressed his frustration over the team radio, saying, “Son of a b-tch. Sorry, guys,” upon learning of the penalty.
His discontent was understandable given his strong performance up to that point. In light of the situation, his crew chief, James Small, urged him to be aggressive: “No option but to drive the piss out of it and be f–king aggressive.”
Discussions among NASCAR fans reflected the turmoil surrounding Truex’s unfortunate luck, with one fan lamenting, “This season couldn’t get worse for Truex fans like myself. 0 luck. 0 clutch. Oh and it’s the last ride man.” Others humorously speculated about recurring mishaps in the sport.
Some fans felt the #19 team was facing “Karma” for passing the 12 under caution, while others called for penalties against Josh Berry and Daniel Suarez.
In the end, Kyle Larson clinched the race victory, while Denny Hamlin finished fourth, ensuring he moved out of the bubble.
The next round of the playoffs is set to continue at Kansas Speedway on September 29th.
