Heading into the crucial playoff finisher in Martinsville, the pressure was back on the Joe Gibbs Racing duo of Martin Truex Jr and Denny Hamlin. The veterans were well below the cutline with a 17-point deficit separating the 2 from the rest. The duo did its best as Truex Jr claimed another pole position, giving himself a head-start in Sunday’s 500-lap race.

Unfortunately, the #19 JGR driver ran into trouble as the playoff desperations kicked in, essentially getting the driver back despite leading the first 40-plus laps of the race.

WATCH THIS STORY: The unfortunate gamble: Martin Truex Jr’s NASCAR Cup playoff upset

Martin Truex Jr walks into the fire as playoff desperations get the best of him

Getting decked with a penalty is something no driver wants especially when you are below the cut line in a crucial situation. Sadly for Joe Gibbs Racing’s veteran driver, Martin Truex Jr he had to live through the harsh reality as the driver walked himself right into the fire in the 219th lap of the race.

The 2017 Cup Series who was in a must-win situation shot himself in the foot when the #19 Toyota was caught speeding as he exited the pit lane. This speeding ticket had adverse effects on the driver, in a quick flash the 42-year-old went from being 2nd to the middle of the pack.

While RCR‘s Austin Dillon was also handed a speeding ticket along with the #19, it literally changed the game for MTJ who was looking to finish the race on a high note and advance into the championship race in Phoenix.

Hope turns into despair as NASCAR decks the JGR with a penalty

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Entering Sunday’s race, MTJ had high hopes of acing the half-mile track. The JGR Toyotas were pretty much in control at the beginning of the race but things quickly went awry as NASCAR caught the veteran above the prescribed speed limit. This pretty much killed the momentum Truex Jr built, taking him back to the middle where he spent the rest of the time battling the traffic.

Despite the speed and pace of the Toyota, the 42-year-old couldn’t find his rhythm as the pack grew more aggressive as the race went on. With 2 spots already taken, the playoff contenders put on a show, fiercely racing in an effort to make up the points. Tyler Reddick, and Chris Buescher all were trying their best to gain an advantageous position.

In the fray, Truex Jr never could make up for the lost position as he finished the race 12th, getting knocked out of the tournament in the final playoff race along with his teammate, Hamlin.

READ MORE: “Nothings Really Gone Right” – Martin Truex Jr Bluntly Addresses JGR Issues Amidst Hopes of Changing Unimpressive Playoff Narrative