Martin Truex Jr Criticises Teammate Denny Hamlin’s ‘Associate’ as Track Troubles Plague Even the Champions Lot

The dissections followed another repaved SMI-owned track last week, after North Wilkesboro’s victor, Joey Logano led all but one lap en route a million-dollar race win. After Bristol’s concrete shredded down the Goodyears to seemingly signal a shift in short-track fortunes, the expectations were high leading up to the All-Star weekend.

Add to that, the Truck Series’ exciting display on Saturday on older tire codes, and the stage was set for an anticipated ‘options’ experiment for the Cup Series, courtesy of NASCAR’s dedicated tire suppliers. But surprisingly, apart from a certain Denny Hamlin, almost no driver has come forth since to credit North Wilkesboro’s racing quality.

That is even more ironic considering Hamlin’s recent Twitter spat with Speedway Motorsports co-owner Marcus Smith, regarding another 2024 repave at Sonoma. And to add to SMI’s faltering track management, his teammate Martin Truex Jr has now revealed some off-track hindrances emerging from the drivers’ parking lots at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Don’t hope for surfing the internet at Charlotte

During a pre-race interview in Charlotte, Martin Truex Jr was questioned about the ‘champions’ zone’ in the drivers’ parking areas present across all tracks on the NASCAR calendar. But more importantly, “the difference between that area and where everyone – the non-winners are?” 

With a lighthearted smirk, the #19 driver responded, “It’s much less crowded, much less riff-raff and a lot less guests, you know, like people just walking around like who are these people walking around, and trying to get your autograph? So it’s definitely a lot more lowkey. And yeah, less crazy stuff happens.”

But when speaking about any potential perks of claiming a spot in this coveted zone at SMI-owned Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, MTJ announced, speaking from a driver’s derivatives, “Negative… Your phone still doesn’t work so that’s pretty much status quo with all the SMI tracks. I feel like as soon as you show up, your phone stops working.”

Regardless, both these teammates will be fending off Christopher Bell and debut pole-winner Ty Gibbs placed in higher spots than themselves for a shot at victory at the 2024 Coca-Cola 600 on an SMI-owned track yet again. But some new changes await Charlotte Motor Speedway this year. And maybe, a new track president could solve Martin Truex Jr’s woes from the infield of NASCAR’s beloved crown jewel home track.

Can a new President fix MTJ’s “Champions Zone”?

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Only yesterday, Marcus Smith announced that three-time Speedway Motorsports Promoter of the Year, Greg Walters, would be promoted from executive vice-president and general manager to president after 25 years at their often scrutinized organization. This change will serve SMI well in the background of a rapidly shifting NASCAR spectrum. Nevertheless, with even more changes awaiting their budgets, the even more harrowing perspective of teams not competing on a guaranteed starting spot from 2025 remains a barrier ahead of any adjustments to make for the next season.

But shifting lenses to current perspectives, those looking for a profit on Martin Truex Jr this Sunday at Charlotte must know that the former three-time winner at the 1.5-mile racetrack emerges as a 20-1 favorite for an inaugural 2024 victory. Additionally, even Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic has picked the #19 to break his recent “overdue” winless streak at the Coca-Cola 600.

Rolling off the grid in P4 behind Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott, MTJ’s Memorial Day tribute alongside JGR & Bass Pro Shops will be honoring U.S. Army First Lt. Harold Ring, a posthumous Silver Cross recipient for his efforts in the Vietnam War. Truex Jr’s 2016 Charlotte victory will certainly run through his mind at least once where he led all but 8 laps to win his first-ever 600 lap superspectacle in the heart of NASCAR country.

Do you think the #19 can win it for a third time four years separated from his second 600 victory?