Going into the playoffs, Martin Truex Jr was looked at as one of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title favorites. But things could not have been any worse for him since. The Joe Gibbs Racing man suffered a tire blowout in Kansas and could not finish the race. While he finished a disappointing 18th at Darlington, things only took a turn for the worse when he couldn’t even finish the race at Kansas. Naturally, the situation looks dire with the veteran outside the playoff cut line, but as per a NASCAR Insider, all is not lost.

The JGR driver had problems right from the get-go at Kansas. He was slow to get going after the green flag fell and he was being passed left and right by cars all around him. By this point, everyone knew that there was something wrong with the #19. A few moments later, Truex lost his right rear and slammed into the wall, terminally damaging his suspension and ending his race. With just one race to go, the former Cup Series champion has a steep hill to climb at Bristol.

Martin Truex Jr urged to “go down swinging” ahead of Bristol

No one could have ever seen this coming. Remember, he was the best driver on track in the regular season, which is proved by the fact that he won the regular season championship. However, now, at the business end of the campaign, the 43-year-old has faltered one way or the other.

Going into the round of 16’s final race at Bristol, Truex is seven points behind Kevin Harvick and the cutline. While seven points might not sound like a lot to many people, NASCAR fans know how much of a difference that margin can make in deciding one’s fate.

It’s almost like Truex has put himself in a Chase Elliott-like situation where he will have to finish very high up in order to make it into the playoffs. But if there is one man who can do it, it is the former Cup Series champion. All he needs to do is get his head down and do the best he can.

At least that is the advice NASCAR Insider and HMS Legend Steve Letarte gave him while speaking on the NASCAR on the NBC podcast. Letarte urged Truex to “Go down swinging, don’t be a victim,” regardless of whether he makes it. He also said that the trials and tribulations of the previous season have prepared the veteran and his crew chief, James Small, for a situation like this.

“This is one race, one playoff. Martin Truex Jr and James Small went through the darkest of days a year ago when they didn’t make the playoffs and couldn’t win a race. And I think for that reason, they’re prepared for this moment. Will they advance? I don’t know,” Letarte said.

“Don’t be a victim man. Pull your bootstraps up and show up at Bristol and control your own opportunity,” he reiterated.

Many believe that Truex has lost the form that he had earlier in the season and his recent performances suggest that he is on a downward curve right now. However, Steve Letarte was quick to warn the doubters to not make the mistake of writing Truex off.

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Letarte warns the entire grid and tells them to keep an eye out for Truex

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After all, he is a veteran; he has the race craft; he knows how to win races and more importantly, he knows how to win the Cup Series title. Letarte is of the belief that all Truex needs is one good result and that will get him and his team their confidence back. And that good result may just be making it through to the round of 12.

“I will say this. If they do advance, look out. Because if they advance, they get those 30-something points back and I will tell you, it will be like a second wind you have not seen. If Martin Truex Jr. advances, look out,” Letarte said.

What Letarte is saying makes sense. A good result can catapult someone’s confidence to the highest of highs and for someone who was in a purple patch earlier this year like Martin Truex Jr, it won’t be long before he is at his best again if he manages to make it through to the round of 12.

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