USA Today via Reuters
Aug 28, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) stands by his car during prerace festivities before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 28, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) stands by his car during prerace festivities before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022 NASCAR Cup season has not been very kind to Martin Truex Jr. He came ever so close to qualifying for the Playoffs, but lost out to Ryan Blaney. Suffice it to say, it has been a very frustrating year for the #19 driver. What makes it even worse is that he has yet to win a race this season, and time is running out. Teammate Denny Hamlin is equally frustrated and believes that it is the fault of the Next Gen car.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
We need NextGen 2.0. Just gotta figure out who’s gonna pay for it.
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 18, 2022
Following the Cup race at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Truex Jr failed to see the chequered flag. Later on, cameras spotted the 42-year-old flipping the bird at his #19 Toyota. It would be a crying shame for the 2017 Cup Series champion, as he had been the runner-up in three of the last four seasons.
What next for Martin Truex Jr and Denny Hamlin?
In conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR radio after Kansas, he said, “Had a chance for sure. Gave another one away. I mean, sure charging through the field four times, five times. With cars, you can’t pass with. The last mistake was just too late in the race to make it up. Got to fifth, almost got to fourth. We passed the most cars today by a lot and when we were out front, we were checking out. I don’t even know what to say anymore. It sucks, getting old, having cars you go in with, and not being able to win. Just ready for the season to be over. Too many mistakes, too much stuff against us. I don’t know, go hunting and kill something.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 17, 2022; Bristol, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) leads driver Ross Chastain (1) and driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
safe to say martin truex jr. is not thrilled with his car this evening#NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs @BMSupdates pic.twitter.com/ISJNWMRxFe
— Steve Luvender (@steveluvender) September 18, 2022
Already, the campaign has been rough for Joe Gibbs Racing. Kyle Busch was among the drivers eliminated from the running, along with Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon and Kevin Harvick. Coming back to Martin Truex Jr, his apparent dry spell isn’t for the lack of try, as he has had the pace to win. It is just unfortunate that he has not been able to go that extra mile and win. Fortunately for Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell are still in the running.
WATCH STORY: Denny Hamlin Chooses Violence in Dig at RCR’s Kyle Busch Announcement After Tyler Reddick Saga
