WATCH: Martin Truex Jr. claims he could’ve won Kansas Cup race if not for Chase Elliott
Martin Truex Jr. lamented his P4 finish at Kansas Cup race.
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Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)
The Kansas Cup race on Sunday saw history in making as Kyle Larson defeated RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher in a 0.001 second gap. This is the smallest margin ever between two racers in the history of the sport. But if the race hadn’t gone to overtime, the Ford-Chevy duo wouldn’t have been fighting for the win. Instead, it would’ve been two JGR drivers.
Denny Hamlin was on the lead when the caution sending the race to overtime due to Kyle Busch’s spin came. The No:11 Toyota was fighting 2017 Cup champion teammate Martin Truex Jr. for the win. Unlike the No:19, Hamlin had a massive disadvantage as his fuel was close to running out and would’ve lost the race to Truex Jr.
The veteran also had the opportunity to win the race on the overtime run as well, if not for the fierce battle he had with Chase Elliott. Martin Truex Jr. pointed out that he would’ve been able to catch up with Larson-Buescher duo and take advantage of their fight, if he was able to clear the No:9 HMS Chevy. But Elliott proved too tough to overcome.
If I could have cleared him off of 2 and I could have shot the bottom on the 5 and the 17 because they were banging into each other up the hill, I think I could have got him. But I had the 9 under me and he was, you know, I couldn't turn down the racetrack and I was tight back there, so I don't know.Martin Truex Jr. said via Fox Sports.
Martin Truex Jr. said he would have caught Denny Hamlin if there was no late caution. He obviously needed fewer people to take two tires as he took four prior to the final restart. pic.twitter.com/DIsLVEthqZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 6, 2024
Martin Truex Jr. claims he would’ve easily won of not for the caution
The JGR veteran in his post-race interview was super confident that he would have easily passed his teammate Denny Hamlin for the win if not for the overtime. He understood that Hamlin would have failed to match his pace with a car that doesn’t have enough fuel.
Caught him quickly. He was obviously going to run out of fuel from what they told me, (I don't know, but they said he couldn't make it, so I don't know. But yeah, easily was going to pass him, but it doesn't matter.Martin Truex Jr. said.
The No:19 has been in the mix of contenders for many races this season, but on the final laps luck and poor execution is costing them. They should put more work on executing better and the luck factor would come back naturally.
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Justin P Joy
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