As of today, the NASCAR Cup Series is officially a month away from being on track at Daytona. The excitement is building as the Days to Daytona continue to countdown. With 30 days left to go, this series continues with a look at the regular season champion from last year. Many questions surround Martin Truex Jr and the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing team entering the season.
#19 Joe Gibbs Racing
Driver: Martin Truex Jr
Crew Chief: James Small
Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Reser’s, Auto-Owners Insurance, Interstate Batteries
2024 Season Preview
A Retirement Tour?
Will 2024 be the final fulltime season for Martin Truex Jr? There were rumblings about last year potentially being it for the JGR driver. However, Truex decided to return to the 19 car for at least one more season. However, that brings into question whether this will be his final year. Based on his regular season, Truex has plenty in the tank. However, his playoffs were a disaster. Either way, it would be expected that a Truex retirement would be announced ahead of Daytona so the former Cup champion can enjoy a retirement tour.
Shake-Off the Playoff Stank
Martin Truex Jr was the 2023 regular season champion. By the end of the season, Truex slid down to eleventh in points. To call his playoff run a disaster would be a massive understatement. Despite entering the playoffs with a large points cushion, Truex barely survived through the first two rounds. He did not finish inside the Top-10 until Las Vegas, where he placed a playoff best ninth. Whether it was driver/team mistakes or bad luck, nothing went right for Truex. For 2024, Truex and the 19 team will need to have short memories.
Superspeedway Win
In his career, Martin Truex Jr has accomplished almost everything a driver can in the Cup Series. However, the one glaring omission from his resume is a lack of a superspeedway win. Especially considering how well Truex has run (at times) at Daytona and Talladega, it is surprising he has yet to find victory lane at these tracks. In the Xfinity Series, Truex has tallied 4 wins between Daytona and Talladega. As his career is winding down, will Truex break through for his first superspeedway win? Based on his recent runs, it does not seem likely.
Daytona 500 Chances
Although Martin Truex Jr is missing a superspeedway win, he has come close to capturing a Daytona 500. 2018 was the worst heartbreak when Denny Hamlin barely edged him out at the start/finish line. Since that second place finish, Truex has yet to finish inside the Top-10 again. His best finish since 2018 is 13th two years ago. However, Truex has a Top-5 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in 2020.
Speedweeks Outlook
With his more laid back approach to the superspeedways, Martin Truex Jr might need some good luck to capture his first Daytona 500. Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Truex seems to alternate between solid qualifying runs. Last year, Truex qualified 22nd. So this year, Truex will qualify inside the Top-10. Since Truex hangs back usually, his duel race will not be one of much excitement. Same for the early laps of the Daytona 500. Truex prefers to run around the back and survive until the end. Will this strategy work out for a win this year?
Previous Days
40-36 Days: 40 – #12, 39 – #5, 38 – #24, 37 – #20, & 36 – #11
