Martin Truex Jr's Playoff Hopes Dim as Joe Gibbs Racing Struggles

Martin Truex Jr, the 2017 Cup Series champion and the current regular season's champion, is facing a tough challenge in the NASCAR playoffs. Despite being locked in the round of 8, the #19 team has not performed well in the past two months and is losing momentum.

Truex Jr's slump in the playoffs

[{ "selector": ".zubpc-a", "duration": "2000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Truex Jr had a strong regular season, winning important races and qualifying well. He also had a hot streak of six top-10s in seven races, including a win in Hampshire. However, in the playoffs, he has finished below 15th in every race, his worst 7-race stretch since 2009.

[{ "selector": ".kzsjo-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Joe Gibbs Racing's mixed fortunes

[{ "selector": ".azilp-a", "duration": "2000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Joe Gibbs Racing has three cars in the round of 8, more than any other team. While Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell are considered strong contenders for the title, Truex Jr is lagging behind. The #19 team seems to be "off just a bit", according to Jeff Striegle of Motor Racing Network.

[{ "selector": ".ntrfm-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".tqrai-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Subscribe to our 'NASCAR' NEWSLETTER now!

[{ "selector": ".afbsc-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 438px))", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }] Subscribe Here

The playoff format and its implications

[{ "selector": ".uwgqu-a", "duration": "2000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Truex Jr is still in the playoffs because of the playoff format that NASCAR introduced in 2014. The format allows drivers to advance to the next round based on their points or wins. Truex Jr has enough points to stay in the hunt, but he will need to improve his performance if he wants to reach the final four and compete for his second championship.

[{ "selector": ".eejsd-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".tgaxj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

“You Are Sacrificial Lambs”-Kevin Harvick’s Chicago Qualifying Disaster Divides NASCAR Fandom Over Track vs Inexperience Debate

READ MORE [{ "selector": ".zrimz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ajxkl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".wrxzq-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]