Martin Truex Jr. clinches regular season championship after Stage 2 at Daytona
Before the race was even over, Martin Truex Jr. clinched the NASCAR regular season championship and the 15 bonus playoff points. That is equivalent to three wins worth of points. Truex Jr. joins Kyle Busch as the only driver with multiple regular-season titles since the award began in 2017. It helped him win the playoffs that year as well.
Once the wreck was sorted out involving Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs, and most of the field – Martin Truex Jr. came out with enough stage points and distance from Denny Hamlin to claim the championship.
Truex is going to get a big trophy, bonus points, and a little confidence boost going into the playoffs. I think he’s definitely the favorite with his bonus points secured.
Martin Truex Jr. used the bonus points to help boost him to the 2017 championship. So, what is to say he can’t do it again? Truex has a lot going for him right now, he’s been the best driver for the last eight weeks or more. While he isn’t the flashiest, he might be the best driver this season.
Daytona isn’t a place that has been kind to Truex Jr. However, he will walk away with a championship, regardless of where he finishes on Saturday night. I’m sure he’d like to get that Daytona win, though.
Martin Truex Jr. gets a boost into the playoffs
Everything is going right for Martin Truex Jr. right now. He has three wins in the regular season, and the Busch Light Clash win. He’s proven himself at Dover, Sonoma, and New Hampshire. He has performed really well at Daytona tonight as well.
The finish to Stage 1 was exciting. He had to race Denny Hamlin to the end of the stage and ended up besting his teammate for the stage win. It helped him clinch the championship as early in the race as he did. With Hamiln and Truex missing the top-10 in Stage 2, it locked Truex into the first position.
This race is going to come to the bitter end. Martin Truex Jr. might be locked into the playoffs, but he wants more. Winning at Daytona would check a box on his bucket list. Although he’ll be back for 2024, Truex is trying to get all of those accolades he’s always wanted to earn.
I’m not sure if Truex will win, but he’s been racing hard and will at least be involved when this race comes down to the final laps.