Martin Truex Jr. wouldn't make a move like Denny Hamlin at Pocono: 'Not How I Race'

As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for Richmond Raceway, Martin Truex Jr. and others are being asked about Pocono. It is the story that just won’t end. Denny Hamlin moved Kyle Larson up the track and into the wall to take the win.

This was a move that Martin Truex Jr. called “dirty.” With the hindsight of a week behind him, Truex was asked if he would redo anything at Pocono. After all, he could have made a similar move if he wanted to.

So, why didn’t he? Well, that just isn’t how he races.

“I think I did everything that I would do again,” Martin Truex Jr. said. “Try to race it out. Yeah I guess I could have tried something different but I – if I was in the same situation I’d probably race that race the same way. I thought we had a shot at winning, and we didn’t get the right push we needed when we had the bottom on the restarts. But I guess in hindsight I probably could have done the same thing Denny did, I don’t know. Haven’t really thought about it. I would probably do the same exact thing if I was in that situation. I restarted second once on the outside and couldn’t get the lead. Is what it is.”

“I don’t know, Bob. Guess it’s not how I race. I race how I always do and yeah hindsight I could have done something different I guess. That was all it was. I think the way I race people going forward is the same I always have and I think in the long game that pays off. We’ll wait and see I guess maybe it won’t maybe it will. I don’t know but I just race the way I race and that’s it.”

Martin Truex Jr. on the Pocono finish and how he races. It doesn’t sound like he would make that move for the win. pic.twitter.com/SL7rqEQgTY

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 29, 2023

Martin Truex Jr. will keep racing how he always does

At this point in his career, Martin Truex Jr. isn’t likely to change. He knows that and his competitors know that, and it will likely benefit him. You can’t argue with the results as he enters the weekend with three wins and the points-standing lead.

He was right there when Hamlin put Larson into the wall. It was a move that could have cost Truex a solid finish as well if Larson came down far enough or spun out off the contact. While it didn’t go from bad to worse, it makes you wonder how that possibility affects his opinion of the move.

This week, both Martin Truex Jr. and Hamlin will start in the top-10 after qualifying. Toyota is strong this weekend and will be in the mix for the win. Tyler Reddick is the pole sitter and everyone except for Christopher Bell in a Toyota made the final qualifying round.

Martin Truex Jr. starts P10 at Richmond. He will try to extend his lead in the regular season as he seeks that championship and the bonus playoff points it brings.