Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) hopes of dominating the 2024 NASCAR Cup playoffs took a hit after the first elimination round, as Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs were both ousted from contention following the Bristol race. While Gibbs, a rookie, struggled with a lack of experience, it was Truex Jr., the veteran of the #19 Toyota, who proved to be the architect of his own downfall due to unforced errors and a pit-road penalty.
The #19 car, one of the fastest in the Cup Series this year, has often found itself trapped by costly mistakes rather than contending for wins. This pattern was evident once again at Bristol, where Truex Jr. was penalized for speeding on pit road, a mistake that dropped him to 26th in the field. With the race going caution-free after that, Truex was unable to make up any ground, leading to his elimination from the playoffs. Despite chatter about tire wear and passing opportunities, Kevin Harvick suggested that Truex’s inconsistent commitment might have held the team back.
Harvick, who has been candid about Truex Jr.’s “one-foot-in, one-foot-out” approach regarding his potential retirement, criticized the veteran’s lack of full commitment. Speaking on his *Happy Hour* podcast, Harvick commented, “You cannot race this car with one foot in, one foot out commitment. There’s a workload required to compete on a week-to-week basis, and I think James (Small, Truex’s crew chief) is frustrated by that.” Harvick suggested that the uncertainty surrounding Truex’s future racing plans has negatively impacted JGR’s performance over the past two seasons.
Harvick was especially critical of Truex’s inability to recover from his pit-road mistake at Bristol, pointing out that the #19 car, which was running in second place before the penalty, failed to gain any positions in the final stage of the race. He found it baffling that a driver in such a competitive position couldn’t make any significant gains when it mattered most. Harvick said, “You have to feel for those guys… Was my driver fully engaged to do what I needed to do? Martin kind of said it last week: I’m frustrated, don’t really like what I do, and I’m happy it’s almost over.”
Truex’s lackluster performance raises questions about whether his motivation and mindset are in line with the demands of top-tier racing. Though he’s confirmed to continue racing through 2024, it’s clear his wavering commitment has caused friction within his team and affected their chances of success this season.
Meanwhile, Harvick has praised Chase Briscoe’s determination to make the most of his opportunities in the playoffs despite his team’s struggles. Briscoe, driving the #14 car for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), has had a challenging season, but his recent performances show he’s willing to fight for a strong finish. A 6th-place result at Watkins Glen and an 8th-place finish at Bristol allowed Briscoe to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Harvick noted that Briscoe’s tenacity, even without the speed of top-tier cars like the #19 Toyota, demonstrates his commitment to giving his team a storied end to their NASCAR chapter. With SHR’s struggles, Briscoe’s drive to push forward and exceed expectations is a stark contrast to Truex Jr.’s more passive approach.
Briscoe’s playoff run could mirror his 2022 performance, where he reached the Round of 8. Though a Championship 4 appearance is a long shot, Briscoe’s confidence and ability to deliver under pressure make him a potential dark horse. After his solid Bristol showing, Briscoe declared, “Hopefully, people will start taking us seriously. I truthfully feel like we can battle for the championship.”
Harvick also suggested that JGR made the right call in planning for the future by naming Briscoe as Martin Truex Jr.’s eventual replacement. Briscoe’s determination and skill could be exactly what JGR needs to regain their edge in future seasons. As Truex winds down his career, Briscoe’s rise could signal a shift in JGR’s approach, bringing in younger, more driven talent to keep the team competitive at the highest level.
In the ever-changing landscape of NASCAR, where motivation and consistency are as crucial as speed, Briscoe’s hunger for success may prove to be JGR’s best asset moving forward, especially as the team looks beyond the Truex Jr. era.
Kevin Harvick Blasts Martin Truex Jr.’s ‘Commitment Issues’ That Angered Joe Gibbs Racing!
