Yahoo Autos Martin Truex Jr. Out to Overcome 'Biggest Mistake' of His NASCAR Racing Career
Throughout the 2024 season, Martin Truex Jr. appeared to be a shoo-in to make this year’s playoffs as he led the standings for three weeks and remained in the top five after 18 of the regular season’s 26 events, but then everything changed, and the 2017 NASCAR Cup champion found himself in a precarious position.
Starting with a 33rd-place finish at Chicago in July, Truex found himself in a downward spiral with only one top-20 finish in the six races leading up to the regular season finale at Darlington. He entered the Cook Out Southern 500 still above the cutline.
However, disaster struck on the race’s third lap when Truex lost control of his car as he attempted to pass William Bryon and took out himself and 2023 champion Ryan Blaney.
“I was thinking that I just ruined our whole season and the next 10 weeks would stink,” Truex says. “I felt like it was the biggest mistake I’ve made in my entire racing career, which was pretty bad given what the day was and what was on the line. I wanted to leave Darlington, dig a hole and crawl into it for a few days. It was a terrible feeling.
“We’ve all done stupid things, certainly, and that one was at the top of my list. Kind of a reminder of how delicate things can be and how quickly they can change and go away. With this format and the way it is, and not having any bonus points per se, it’s a reminder you have to be on it. No mistakes. One mistake and you’re probably done.”
After the Darlington wreck, Truex took a shower and then about 10 minutes to calm down before leaving the track. He couldn’t watch the race.
Truex ended up making this year’s 16-driver playoff field by a mere six points, one of only two drivers to earn a berth this season without a victory. The other driver was Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs who landed on the positive side of the bubble by a dozen points. They are seeded 15th and 16th, each with 2,004 points.
Kyle Larson is seeded first with 2,040 points, while regular season champion Tyler Reddick is seeded third with 2,028. Second seeded Christopher Bell possesses 2,032 points. Completing the 16-driver field, respectively, are Byron, Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe and Harrison Burton.
The Cup playoffs begin Sunday at the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway, then move to the 2.45-mile road course at Watkins Glen before the first-round ends at the half-mile Bristol track. Four drivers will be eliminated from the playoffs at Bristol.
NASCAR Cup Playoff Standings
Round of 16 includes races at Atlanta (Sept. 8), Watkins Glen (Sept. 15) and Bristol (Sept. 21). Field will be cut to 12 after Bristol.
Kyle Larson 2,040 points
Christopher Bell 2,032
Tyler Reddick 2,028
William Byron 2,022
Ryan Blaney 2,018
Denny Hamlin 2,015
Chase Elliott 2,014
Brad Keselowski 2,008
Joey Logano 2,007
Austin Cindric 2,007
Daniel Suarez 2,006
Alex Bowman 2,005
Chase Briscoe 2,005
Harrison Burton 2,005
Ty Gibbs 2,004
Martin Truex Jr. 2,004
