Kevin Harvick evaluates Martin Truex Jr.'s 'unfortunate' playoff showing at Atlanta

Kevin Harvick took some time to evaluate the recent performance of Martin Truex Jr. during this week’s edition of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.

The veteran wheelman has faced a tumultuous 2024, which is also his final full season behind the wheel. Due to a myriad of reasons, Truex Jr. hasn’t been able to get to Victory Lane, but he was at least able to make the playoffs.

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However, he’s in a precarious position at the moment, as his lack of victories has forced him to rise above and utilize mistake-free driving to advance to the next round, which didn’t get off to a great start in Atlanta. He’s now 18 points below the cut-line for the Round of 12 after the Cup Series’ trip to Georgia.

Evidently, Harvick has some sympathy for Truex Jr. after what he went through during his final season in 2023, and he’s hoping to see the No. 19 turn it around before it’s too late.

“It’s unfortunate,” Harvick said, regarding Truex Jr.’s performance over the 2024 campaign. “You want to enjoy the end of your career, and the things that are happening, and he’s definitely cranky on the radio. That’s for sure, I don’t think that’s anything new. He’s definitely been cranky lately.”

Moving forward, Truex Jr. might need some help if he’s to advance to the Round of 12, unless he wins a race for the first time in 2024. Thankfully, Watkins Glen is up next for the Cup Series, and it’s a solid track for the No. 19 wheelman. 

Over the course of his illustrious NASCAR career, Truex Jr. has raced at Watkins Glen 17 times. He’s only won there once, back in 2017, but Truex Jr. also hasn’t finished below P7 over his last seven attempts at the road course, so there’s a precedent for him to have a good day in New York.

Kevin Harvick and a large contingent of NASCAR fans would love to see Martin Truex Jr. turn it around, with only nine races left in his final full-time season behind the wheel. Time will tell if he’s able to get the job done over the next couple of weeks.