Martin Truex Jr showed incredible consistency to clinch the regular-season championship this season. A combination of pace, clean racing, and versatility would describe his regular season in the best manner possible. So naturally, coming into the playoffs, a lot was expected from the #19 team.
However, things have gone differently than everyone expected. For the regular-season champion to be ousted in the first elimination round of the playoffs would be a massive letdown. But apparently, a section of the fanbase has already begun to count him out of the final 12.
Martin Truex Jr troubled by mechanical issues again
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Arriving at Bristol Motor Speedway Martin Truex Jr NASCAR champion had everything to fight for. 13th in the playoff standings, he needed to deliver a strong performance regardless of the eventual outcome of the race. The situation becomes more of a concern when one looks at how Joe Gibbs Racing‘s other cars have fared in the playoffs. Truex’s fellow veteran Denny Hamlin is arguably the strongest driver out there, with dominant performances on both weekends. Christopher Bell, on the other hand, has won the pole for all three races, displaying incredible pace, and is leading the race at Bristol as of now.
Despite all these splendid developments around him, the pattern of mechanical problems has also continued to haunt Truex in the playoffs. Owing to a lack of winning pace and braking issues, Truex finds himself in the lower ranks of the race again. Having finished 18th and 36th at Darlington and Kansas, respectively, MTJ already had a lot on his plate. And now, with the braking issue coming up, he could not hide his frustration on the team radio.
Truex: brake shaking like a m*****f*****
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2023
Venting out his frustration in an expletive inclusive outburst, Truex relayed, “Brake shaking like a mot***fu**er”
It looks like Truex’s patience with the continuous hindrances to his pursuit of the final 12 has come to an end. As things stand now, Truex is on the 20th after the completion of stage 2. With a turnaround more likely to be impossible, the fandom has already begun to give up on him.
NASCAR fans believe Truex’s season might be over
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Prior to the race, Martin Truex Jr NASCAR star disclosed his feelings about the race. He claimed that it is going to be extremely tough to turn around a situation as grave as the one he is in. As tough as short tracks can be for the #19 Camaro, many fans were hopeful to watch him have a last-ditch attempt at making the cut.
However, from the looks of it, the distance between the final 12 and Truex is only increasing as the race enters its final stage. A fan conveyed his feeling, as he commented, “Doesn’t sound good.”
It's Martover
— Brett (@22fan4ever) September 17, 2023
“First-round exit I fear“, commented another fan, as he got closer to watching his suspected situation come true. The 2017 Cup Series champion might have broken many a fan’s hearts at this point in time.
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OF COURSE THIS HAPPENS THE MOMENT I PUT HIM IN FANTASY.
— 🌈 Ethan 🩷🤍💜🖤💙 (@Pokefan_2844) September 17, 2023
Watch This Story: $3.6 Billion Tire Company’s Blunder Cost Martin Truex Jr. His Shot at Another Title
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One fan took a sly dig at how his season turned around on his head, going from a title contender to the first big name to go out of the playoffs, saying, “More like his season”
The fanbase’s anguish is pretty visible in the comments. Not just the fans but Truex will be disappointed with his performance in the last three weeks as well.