What could have been a run to remember ended up with a pretty less-than-average run at the Phoenix Raceway for Martin Truex Jr. The Phoenix Finale served as his last race on the tracks before he embraced retirement. While this was his chance to make it count on the Phoenix Speedway, Truex Jr. ended with a race that did not make fans or himself very happy. 

As the season closes for Truex Jr. he was seen quite frustrated about the detrimental end he had and the obstacles his team has been facing. While the race did not go as one might have anticipated, it would not be wrong to say that Martin Truex Jr. is a name that fans would always look up to. 

A season of setbacks and misfortune for Martin Truex Jr. 

While most drivers think that they will conclude the final season with some iconic moves and picture-perfect finish, not every time does this want to get fulfilled. Although the Joe Gibbs’ driver led 10 laps after starting on the pole, he soon lost track – thanks to the numerous pit stops and caution. Martin Truex Jr. ended up finishing the race at the 17th position which is indeed not a very good run given that it was his last race before formal retirement.

Truex Jr. did have a career worth remembering. He won the 2017 Cup Series Championship and in total accounts for 34 victories in his NASCAR career from 2004. Recounting the poor quality of the run on the track, Truex mentioned how the tire quality kept getting worse. Speaking of this instance, Truex Jr. said, “No emotions, really—just wanted to run well, wanted a better result than that. Early on, it felt like it was going to be a good day, but it just kept getting worse. The harder we tried and the more we adjusted the car, the more things seemed to go downhill. Lately, it’s been a pattern: we qualify well, but as the track gets hotter and more rubber builds up, we struggle more. I’m not sure what’s causing it, honestly”.

Despite starting in pole position, Martin Truex Jr lost out big time in the Phoenix race. Although he led the first nine laps of the race, it was the only team he spent in first position for the rest of the race. Race winner Joey Logano quickly took over. For a while, MTJ seemed to hold on to second place, finishing 2nd at the end of Stage 1. However, a caution on the pit road during the stage break left the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver in seventh place. From there, it went downhill, with Truex Jr. finishing 17th at the end of the race.

While Martin Truex Jr. did not have the run that one might have anticipated, he seemed to be thankful to the team that has been an important part of his journey since its inception. Just when he was about to take off from the steering for the final time, Truex Jr. acknowledged all the hard work that the team had put in. He said, “Thanks for sticking out all the way to the end here. Hopefully we can go out on top. Appreciate all your hard work and dedication with all the things we’ve done over the years. It’s meant a lot”. Martin Truex Jr. will be in some races. The course of the same is still unknown due to the lack of an official declaration from the driver. 

Michael Jordan and the NASCAR community congratulate MTJ on his splendid career

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Martin Truex Jr. has been quite a popular name in the NASCAR world. Fans and drivers always appreciated his personality, coupled with his great driving skills. As the driver embarks on his retirement journey ahead, Michael Jordan, NBA legend and co-owner of Team 23XI, joined in the applause.

NASCAR racing insider, Kelly Crandall, shared the incident, saying, “Michael Jordan came by to congratulate Martin Truex Jr. on his career”. While the drive was not quite worth remembering for Martin Truex Jr. or his fans, even Jordan’s drivers struggled to establish a stance of their own. Team 23XI driver Tyler Reddick had to put up a tough fight with competitors Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and even William Byron although Logano sealed the deal.

It wasn’t just the basketball legend celebrating MTJ’s career. One of the winningest drivers in NASCAR sent his regards to MTJ. His words summarize Truex Jr.’s image in the NASCAR community. He said, “While fighting hard for wins, he always raced fair. We were going to race hard for it. In my book, no superstar has been less assuming and controversial than Truex, the cleanest racer of his generation.”

The good news is that this is not the only time fans will witness Truex Jr. racing. He mat return at the Daytona 500 and settled with the Joe Gibbs team owner to run a few Xfinity Series races as well. Truex’s next stop is none other than the Hall of Fame as he has competed in 681 races till now. He has earned 34 wins and 289 top 10 finishes which makes him one of a kind. Given his prowess and expertise on tracks, fans can expect only the very best for him even after his retirement.