Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Truex Jr. drives into Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson after losing in overtime at Richmond

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 4/1/24

After coming up short in overtime at Richmond, Martin Truex Jr. was not happy with Kyle Larson or Denny Hamlin and let them know it. The NASCAR champion drove into both Hamlin and Larson after the checkered flag tonight.

This race started on wet weather tires. The varying tire strategies got messed up due to a bad caution in Stage 2. Then we ended up getting an overtime finish, a controversial one at that, between teammate – what more could you want?

Martin Truex Jr. felt that Hamlin jumped the restart. He also thought Hamlin used him up on the track, and didn’t appreciate that. Especially from a teammate. As for Larson, he seemed to just be upset with how things played out in the end.

This all started when Bubba Wallace spun Larson out with two laps to go. Had Larson not caused a caution, Truex likely races to the win with Joey Logano hot on his tail, but not able to make a pass for the lead.

Here is video of the finish along with the extracurricular activity afterward from Martin Truex Jr.

Things escalate quickly at @RichmondRaceway! @dennyhamlin wins it in NASCAR Overtime! pic.twitter.com/xIjvFClFR1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 1, 2024

Martin Truex Jr. was runner-up to Denny Hamlin at Bristol. Now he finishes behind him again at the next short track. All because of a late caution and overtime restart. For what it’s worth, NASCAR approved the final restart, despite what Truex thought.

Martin Truex Jr. falls short at Richmond

They say when MTJ wins races, he does it in convincing fashion. Rarely does he win close races, and maybe that is why this overtime restart felt like such a nail in the coffin.

Martin Truex Jr. is best on long green flag runs in a fast car. He can hit his marks, be efficient, and really put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Tonight, he almost got away with it. However, one costly caution changed everything for him.

These losses hurt the most. Knowing you had a dominant car and then for it all to slip away in just matter of minutes, it doesn’t sit right with these drivers. Hamlin was in the right place at the right time and his pit crew was clutch. Plain and simple. He still finished P4 for another top-5 on the season.

I understand why Martin Truex Jr. is so upset. I do. However, he is going to have to get over it by next week. Martinsville is a track he can win, and dominate, at. Truly. He has the ability to go into next week’s race and just stink it up for everyone else. The sooner Truex gets over this loss, the better.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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