After the dust settled at Phoenix Raceway, marking the end of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, the garage area buzzed with emotions. It wasn’t just because a new champion took the crown, but because it was also the end of an era. Martin Truex Jr. The 2017 Cup Series Champion and one of the most respected figures in the sport, was hanging up his helmet, stepping away from full-time racing.

In a career that spanned nearly two decades, Truex racked up 33 Cup Series wins, a championship, and the admiration of fans and competitors alike. But no tribute was as telling as the one from his long-time teammate and sometimes his rival, Denny Hamlin.

A rivalry built on respect and tension

Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr.’s relationship has always been a fascinating one. Teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) since 2019, the duo developed a dynamic that was equal parts camaraderie and fierce rivalry. Hamlin on the latest episode of Actions Detrimental, reflecting on Truex’s retirement, didn’t hold back his admiration: “Back where I was starting there with Truex’s final race. You know, just what can I say about Truex? Just a constant professional as a teammate. Certainly somebody that I admire off the racetrack as well… He’s independent off the racetrack and it’s just a great professional on the racetrack,” Hamlin said, clearly moved by the moment.

Yet, their journey together wasn’t always a smooth ride. Let’s take it back to 2017 when Truex was in the midst of his breakout year with Furniture Row Racing, a scrappy single-car team that shocked the NASCAR world by winning the Cup Series Championship. Truex’s dominance that season, especially on the mile-and-a-half tracks, earned him the title “King of the Intermediates” It was a year where he seemed unstoppable, leaving even seasoned veterans like Hamlin scrambling to keep up.

Denny Hamlin even tried a tactic to ensure he gets to drive alongside his former teammate in the future. When MTJ revealed he intended to come back for certain races, Hamlin was ready to welcome him with open arms. He volunteered a 23XI car, wanting to see his friend return to the racetrack.

Their rivalry took on a new dimension in 2019 when Truex joined Hamlin at Joe Gibbs Racing. Suddenly, these two fierce competitors were not just fighting for wins, but also for supremacy within the same garage. Truex adapted quickly, winning seven races in his first year with JGR, and finishing second in the championship, while Hamlin took six victories and was also a title contender. The competition between them was palpable, but there was always a mutual respect underpinning their battles.

From teammates to friends: Denny Hamlin creates the perfect send-off

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The rivalry between Hamlin and Truex may have had its tense moments, but over the years, it evolved into something deeper. By the time Truex Jr. announced his retirement, any lingering tension had melted away, leaving only respect between the two JGR stalwarts. As Hamlin reflected, it was clear how much he valued their years racing side-by-side. “We’ll definitely miss Martin and everything he brings to Joe Gibbs Racing and wish him the best,” Hamlin added, signaling just how much Truex’s departure would be felt within the team.

One of the more recent flashpoints in their rivalry came during the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs. Both Denny Hamlin and Truex were among the favorites to make the Championship 4 but stumbled in the Round of 8, particularly at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a track where both have historically excelled. A mechanical issue and a lackluster performance saw both veterans eliminated, dashing their championship hopes. Yet, rather than point fingers, Denny Hamlin and Truex Jr. supported each other, showing just how far their relationship had come. It’s not often you see such sportsmanship in a world as cutthroat as NASCAR, where every point, every inch on the track, can mean the difference between winning and losing. For Hamlin, Truex’s retirement isn’t just the end of a competitive chapter but the farewell of a friend who has shared countless highs and lows on the track.

Truex’s departure from full-time racing also serves as a stark reminder that the old guard of NASCAR is slowly passing the torch. The Truex-Hamlin era has been defined by consistency, skill, and mutual respect, even when the racing got heated. As Denny Hamlin continues his quest for that elusive first championship, he’ll be doing it without one of his fiercest competitors on the grid. The NASCAR world will certainly miss Truex’s steady hand and unflappable demeanor. He’s been an incredible driver, someone who lets his results do the talking. And in a sport where rivalries often end in bitterness, it’s refreshing to see one that concludes with such mutual admiration.

As Truex steps away from the spotlight, leaving behind a legacy that includes 33 and the 2017 championship, it’s clear that his absence will leave a significant void in the Cup Series. Yet, it’s the words of Hamlin, a competitor who has pushed him to be better and who has been pushed in return, that perhaps best capture the essence of Martin Truex Jr.: a champion on the track, a professional off it, and, above all, someone to admire.