When it comes to NASCAR, the playoffs are the ultimate test of a driver’s skills and determination. Martin Truex Jr, the regular season champion from Joe Gibbs Racing, entered the postseason with high expectations. However, his recent performances have left many in the NASCAR community disappointed, including a prominent NASCAR Insider.

Truex Jr began the season as a force to be reckoned with, clinching three victories in the first 26 races. He won the Cup Series regular-season championship in Daytona, and it looked like he would be a formidable contender for the championship alongside his teammate Denny Hamlin and the Hendrick Motorsports star, William Byron.

Kyle Petty believes the Joe Gibbs Racing driver lost his form at the wrong time

Since the playoffs began, Martin Truex Jr has struggled to maintain his top-tier performance. In the seven races since the regular season’s penultimate event at Watkins Glen in August, Truex Jr hasn’t managed to secure a single top-10 finish, raising concerns about his playoff prospects.

When the Cup Series Playoffs commenced in Darlington, MTJ’s performance continued to falter. His best finish in the playoffs so far has been 17th at Texas Motor Speedway. The cliché “survive and advance” aptly describes his playoff journey, as he has struggled to maintain the competitive edge he displayed earlier in the season.

NASCAR Insider Kyle Petty recently voiced his disappointment in MTJ’s performance during a conversation with Nate Ryan on the NASCAR on NBC Podcast. When asked about Truex Jr’s championship prospects, Kyle Petty didn’t mince words, saying, “Listen, in the first race of both rounds, he’s given away back at least half of his points. You know what I mean? I mean he did it at Texas he went in 36 above the cut line, came out what… 17 or 18 or 19 above, and now what is he 17? So he lost points again today.

“So yeah, he’s not even shown me a trend that he can gain a point. Just gain me one point, or just give me a push for a week, just give me a push. You know what I mean, and that’s disheartening. Eight or ten races leading up to the playoffs. I think he had had like six top fives in seven races or something. I mean, he was on fire dude.

“And I looked at it and I thought. Okay, he’s gonna give Denny a run for his money and give Larson a run for the money. He’s going to be the guy that nobody’s paid attention to all year long. And here he is getting hot at the right time, but he’s gotten cold at the wrong time.”

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Despite these difficulties, the 15 bonus points that Truex Jr carries forward into each playoff round have proved to be a lifeline, helping him advance in the face of adversity. He now faces the Round of 12 cutoff race at the Charlotte Roval with a 17-point advantage over the cutline. His teammate, on the other hand, has been stamping his authority every weekend, and did that again in Talladega.

Denny Hamlin goes into the final race of Round of 12 with a healthy margin over the cutline and some caution

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Denny Hamlin had a dramatic race at Talladega. Despite facing adversity in the form of a pit-road speeding penalty which saw him falling one lap behind, Hamlin managed a remarkable rally in the late stages of the race, ultimately finishing third. Hamlin’s performance at Talladega solidified his position in the postseason standings, securing the highest level of security among drivers not already winners in the Round of 12.

With just one race remaining before the next elimination, Hamlin boasts a 50-point advantage over the provisional cutline. Speaking about his race during the post-race interviews, Hamlin candidly remarked, “Just f**ked up like I’ve done every year in the playoffs. It’s dumb, and certainly, it’s the one time in the race you just can’t do it under green, and I managed to. But I also managed to get the lucky dog and then drive to the front.”

Do you think it’s finally the year when Denny Hamlin can come out of the shadows and win the title he has been working so hard for? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

Will Denny Hamlin Finally Win That Elusive NASCAR Cup Series Title?