It is just a wait for a few more hours before the final showdown for the Round of 16. After two weeks of nerve-wracking races, the drivers are ready to rev up their cars at Bristol Motor Speedway, the world’s Fastest Half Mile. With just one top spot available, ahead of the round of 12, the Bristol night race surely promises to be an intense battle among the drivers in order to avoid elimination.

Speaking of elimination, one driver who is absolutely desperate for a win is none other than the regular-season champion Martin Truex Jr. After two weeks of utter disappointment, Saturday’s race comes as the only chance of redemption for the driver, in order to qualify for the next stage. However, the question is, will he be able to do so?

Will the Bristol race be a disappointment for Martin Truex Jr?

From being the leader in the points table to running a deficit of 7 seven points below the cut line, the past two weeks have been an absolute catastrophe for Martin Truex Jr. After winning three races in the regular season and clinching the trophy in Daytona, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has slumped beyond consideration. If Truex Jr fails to qualify for the next round, after the Bristol race, he would be the first regular-season champion to be eliminated for the Round of 12. 

After a cut tire in Kansas, the only necessary thing that a shell-shocked Truex Jr. needs in order to change the tidings of the race is a good run and if possible a victory. However, if the past instances are considered, Bristol has not been a friendly track to the 2017 Cup Series champion, and he did not shy away from admitting the fact.

Nevertheless, the driver would like to keep his chin up, ahead of the race, and hopes that he will be able to change the narrative and remain in contention for the championship. This strong-willed attitude and not bowing down to stress was evident in the driver’s interview with NBC’s Dustin Long. Truex Jr who has been applauded for racing clean with his rivals, was ready to change his demeanor if the need arises.

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In his interview, Long asked Truex Jr, “Do you have to be a jerk tomorrow night?”

To this, the No.19 Toyota driver retorted, “It’s possible.”

Long further questioned, “Are you comfortable with that?”

“No, of course not,” came as a reply from Martin Truex Jr.

Martin Truex Jr. reveals his stance ahead of the race at Bristol

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The JGR driver has a steep mountain to climb that lies ahead of him on Saturday revealed in his pre-race interview, “It’s obviously a terrible spot to be in[…]I know tomorrow night’s a big race, this place hasn’t been our best place by any means, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s going to be what it’s going to be, and we’ve just got to go do our best.”

However, it is not just Truex Jr. that stands in a precarious situation, but also the outgoing driver Kevin Harvick, who stands just seven points above the cutline. In his final season as a professional racer, the driver is yet to notch a victory.

However, it seems that Harvick has grown past that apprehension, as he revealed, “It is what it is. You go race as hard as you can, and where it falls, it falls. “I don’t worry about those things anymore.”

With the clock ticking fast for both veteran drivers, it will be interesting to see how these two drivers fare at Bristol. Will it be Harvick who enters the next stage in his final season or will Truex Jr be able to save his crown?

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