Kevin Harvick doesn't hold back on Martin Truex Jr. mindset ahead of Bristol
It’s now or never for Martin Truex Jr., who enters Saturday’s Round of 16 finale at Bristol 14 points below the cutline.
The summer portion of the 2024 season has been miserable for Truex and if there’s any hope of him advancing to the Round of 12 in his final full-time season in the Cup Series, he just might need to find Victory Lane at “The Last Great Colosseum.” Kevin Harvick, however, isn’t quite convinced it’s in the cards for Truex this season. Speaking on his “Happy Hour” podcast, Harvick said he believes Truex is “done with it,” and looking ahead to retirement.
“I think Martin’s done with it,” Harvick said. “Listening to his interview after the race, I think he’s obviously down the road to retirement. Frustrated with the style of racing that comes with this particular car.”
Truex’s struggles continued this past Sunday, as he finished 20th at Watkins Glen. He had speed early, winning Stage 1, but faded throughout the race. In the closing laps, Truex felt he got used up by some in the field. After the race, he dropped a pipe bomb on his fellow competitors.
Martin Truex Jr. growing more frustrated in final full-time season
“It’s just crazy that all these races always come down to this,” Truex said. “I don’t really understand how guys can call their self the best in the world when they just drive through everyone on restarts at the end of these races. It’s very frustrating but it is what it is these days, so I’m out of here.”
The numbers on Truex are concerning and unlike anything we’ve seen from him during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing. Not only is he winless through 28 races but he has just one top-10 finish since Nashville in late June and hasn’t tallied a top-five since Kansas in early May. He has finished 20th or worse in 11 of the last 14 races. That includes a current streak of seven consecutive finishes of 20th or worse.
Perhaps Truex has something special in store at Bristol, a track he’s typically performs well at. Albeit winless, he finished runner-up to Denny Hamlin in the spring race.