Martin Truex Jr is disappointed. Weeks after weeks go by and the regular season champion is still not able to regain the mojo that got him the championship title back in 2017. The 43-year-old speedster had found some solace and perhaps some good feelings about Sunday’s 4EVER 400, but alas, even a pole win couldn’t get Truex Jr his long-awaited win.

Despite flaunting race-winning speed all throughout the 267-lap-long race, the final laps introduced Martin Truex Jr with his doom; a failed engine. That too, within a lap of Denny Hamlin hitting the fence owing to a steering issue. As the double trouble ensued for the two Joe Gibbs Racing teams, Truex Jr’s crew chief spat blatant facts about the number 19 team’s precarious situation.

James Small knows his team is in a must-win situation now

Looking at the playoff points standings, Martin Truex Jr. is 17 points below the cutline. While 17 points might not seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that only one race remains before NASCAR hosts the biggest event of the Cup Series; the Championship 4.

If Truex manages to win at Martinsville, only one car will be getting in on points. And, if there is no new winner at Martinsville, there will be a points battle between 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick, who is at a 10-point deficit, Denny Hamlin and Hamlin’s teammate, Martin Truex Jr. One can only speculate now who these last two drivers are going to be.

Poor luck chose to betray Martin Truex Jr. yet again within moments of Denny Hamlin crashing out on lap 236. On that note, Truex’s crew chief didn’t hold back from revealing their sorry situation amidst the playoffs.

Small said, “I’m not exactly sure what happened. There’s oil everywhere. Obviously, something is broken in the valve train or something. It’s kind of horrible. It’s not a great way to finish the day.”

“The way this is going, by point situation is kinda screwed now,” he added before walking away with a disappointed look on his face.

Despite Joe Gibbs Racing’s woes, the 82-year-old team owner still has hopes for his three entries into this year’s playoffs. And with Christopher Bell‘s victory, the Hall of Famer perhaps has good reasons for believing in his team.

Watch this story: The Unfortunate Gamble: Martin Truex Jr’s NASCAR Cup Playoff Upset

Joe Gibbs is not ready to give up on Martin Truex Jr just yet

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Anything could happen around the nook and corners of the alleys of NASCAR. Uncertainty and unpredictability are the two most dominant aspects of the sport of NASCAR. And it’s these two words that the retired football coach relies on.

During a post-race interview, Gibbs admitted that it’s extremely difficult to get in the final 4, just because of how competitive the field is.

“I don’t think anything’s a given and certainly the #19, all they did in the regular season and as good as they are, but we’ve had real disappointments with everything that has happened,” he said, “I think the #11 has been pretty consistent up until the last couple of weeks.”

“The great thing is we’ve got three cars from our team who have a chance and so we’ve still got a chance. That’s the way we look at it. Going to Martinsville, it’s going to be a classic I’m sure, but we do have a chance. We’re gonna go there with both Denny & Martin,” he added with confidence.

Will Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. live up to the expectations of their boss? Only time will tell.

Martin Truex Jr. Reveals “Opposite of Normal” Secret Behind Championship Finesse