In the world of NASCAR, surprises are aplenty. And the recent turn of events in the playoffs has certainly kept fans on their toes. Martin Truex Jr, the 2017 Cup Series champ, faced a rollercoaster ride in the first elimination round of the playoffs. However, he managed to dodge a major setback by qualifying for the Round of 12 at Bristol. What’s intriguing is that seasoned NASCAR commentator and Hendrick Motorsports legend Steve Letarte had predicted this twist of fate and warned the grid of MTJ’s comeback. Teammate Denny Hamlin recently discussed this predicament during the latest episode of his podcast.

Truex Jr’s journey through the playoffs has been nothing short of dramatic. He went from the top of the leaderboard to the bottom four in the blink of an eye. But after a decent performance at the iconic Bristol night race and a bit of luck, MTJ managed to pull himself out of the bottom four elimination spots, just in the nick of time. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver had entered the race with just 7 points above the cut-off line. Still, by the time the race concluded, he had secured the second position in the playoff standings.

Denny Hamlin talks about his teammate’s unstoppable might

Had Truex Jr. failed to qualify for the next round of the playoffs, it would have been a significant embarrassment. Given that the regular season champion has never been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. However, MTJ’s successful escape from elimination aligned perfectly with Steve Letarte’s earlier prediction cum warning.

During a recent episode of his podcast, Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on Truex Jr’s survival in the playoffs. He referred to Truex as a Goliath of the sport and stated, “You know, you’re giving Goliath another life. So they are a team that, when they win, they win big. Usually, nobody is even close when they hit it right. Like it’s just, they can really be a juggernaut some weeks.”

This statement highlights the respect and acknowledgment that Truex Jr. commands in the NASCAR world, even when faced with challenging circumstances.

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Amidst his strong performances in the playoffs, Denny Hamlin gets tagged on Twitter by a NASCAR Hall Of Famer to help save a forgotten NASCAR track.

Dale Earnhardt Jr calls on Hamlin to save a forgotten NASCAR track

Denny Hamlin has made a name for himself not only on the racetrack but also as a savvy businessman. Over the years, he has ventured into racing team ownership, partnering with NBA legend Michael Jordan in the 23XI Racing Team. Now, it seems he’s being called upon for another unique opportunity.

Southside Speedway, located in Chesterfield, has a rich history in the world of NASCAR. It has been around since 1949 and even hosted several Cup Series events, starting in 1961. However, in recent years, this short track has been sitting idle, yearning for a new lease of life.

Recently, the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority announced that Southside Speedway is looking for a new operator. The prospect of owning and operating a racetrack is exciting but comes with its set of challenges. Nonetheless, it presents an intriguing opportunity for someone like Denny Hamlin, who has a strong presence in the modern-day NASCAR garage.

Dale Earnhardt Jr sees the potential in Denny Hamlin taking up ownership of Southside Speedway. On social media, Earnhardt Jr. tagged Hamlin, suggesting that he, along with Matthew Dillner, could explore the possibility of owning this historic short track. What makes this opportunity even more enticing is Hamlin’s personal history with Southside Speedway. Early in his racing career, he competed in the Mini Stock division at this very track. Additionally, he has hosted races at Southside Speedway for his short-track showdown events.

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As the fate of Southside Speedway hangs in the balance, the involvement of Denny Hamlin, with the encouragement of Dale Earnhardt Jr, could be the spark needed to breathe new life into this forgotten gem of the NASCAR world. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments below.