The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has been filled with highs and lows for Martin Truex Jr. While the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been performing well on the track, his relationship with his crew chief James Small has been strained. After a heated exchange during the Dover race where Small told Truex Jr to “shut the f**k up,” tensions between the two seemed to escalate at the recent Kansas race. During the race, Truex launched into another rant aimed at Small, expressing frustration with the crew chief’s communication and decision-making.

These incidents have raised concerns about Truex Jr and Small’s working relationship, with many wondering if the communication issues between them are ongoing.

Martin Truex Jr claps back at his crew chief during the Kansas race

Despite the positive outcome at the Dover Motor Speedway, it is possible that Martin Truex Jr had some leftover tension from his previous race. During the Kansas race on May 7th, Truex launched another rant at his James Small. The heated exchange was caught on live radio broadcast.

Apparently, Small was a bit late in directing Truex Jr to pit. The driver responded with frustration, saying, “Why are you waiting so long man?”

Truex also expressed difficulty understanding Small’s communication during the race and said, “I can’t understand you half the time and I didn’t know what you said.”

This latest incident has raised questions about the relationship between Truex and his team. It’s not uncommon for drivers and crew chiefs to have disagreements during a race, but Truex’s recent outbursts have been particularly vocal. The exchange raised eyebrows among fans and officials, as it suggested that Truex and Small’s communication issues were ongoing. Truex finished in the eighth position at Kansas, but it’s unclear if his communication problems with Small played a role in his finish.

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Martin Truex Jr has been performing well this season, with five top 10s and two top 5s. However, the driver’s relationship with his crew chief, James Small, has been rocky at times.

Prior to Dover, after the checkered flag at Richmond Raceway, in a similar incident, Small apologized to Truex for running him out of fresh tires before the final pit stop of the race. The #19 Joe Gibbs Racing team only had worn, scuffed tires to put on the car instead of fresh Goodyears. Truex plummeted from third to 11th on the final run, unaware of the tire deficit since Small didn’t tell him previously.

Ultimately, a pit stop in Lap 72 doomed the team’s strategy. Truex Jr later clarified that the decision to pit in the first stage was due to radio issues, which came back to haunt them at the end of the race.

Moreover, during the race in Dover, Truex Jr had concerns about their strategy, which Small had to reassure him was the right call. However, this didn’t sit well with Truex, who felt they could have been in a better position to win. Small then lost his cool and told Truex to “shut the f**k up.”

As the incident raised eyebrows among fans and officials alike, Both the driver and the crew chief clarified after the race that all was well between them.

Despite the misunderstanding, Truex and Small have a great relationship and have worked together since 2020, winning five points-paying races and a victory in the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses, it remains to be seen how Truex and Small’s relationship will evolve. Nevertheless, Truex Jr’s recent win in Dover proves that he still has what it takes to win and remains a top contender in the competition.

READ MORE: Martin Truex Jr Has a Fiery Exchange With Reporter Hours After Being Told to “Shut the F**K Up” By Joe Gibbs Racing