“I could have made a slight change”- When Martin Truex Jr. reflected on losing the iconic race to former JGR teammate Denny Hamlin

Martin Truex Jr., in an interview with USA Today in 2016, reflected on losing that year's Daytona 500 to his teammate that year by a fraction of a second. The American wished to make a small change that would've changed the outcome.

Martin Truex Jr. was asked:

“If you could do any race over again, which race would you choose?”

He replied:

“The Daytona 500 (last month). Because I could win it if I knew I was going to lose by inches. If I could have made a slight change, I would have won it.”

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The JGR driver lost to his teammate Denny Hamlin by 0.01 of a second. A late move by Hamlin on the final lap is what handed him the iconic victory in 2016.

Denny Hamlin started in P11, while Martin Truex started in P28. After a series of events and 182 laps, the sixth caution of the event came out. The race restarted with 12 laps to go, essentially making it a sprint to the end.

Denny Hamlin started the final lap in P4, with Kenseth leading the race and Martin Truex in P2. However, Kenseth was overtaken by Hamlin on the outside (courtesy of a push from Kevin Harvick).

Kenseth lost control and dropped places. The final stretch was a drag race between Hamlin on the high line and Truex on the lower line. The JHR driver, who was behind on the final lap, eventually won.

It was the closest-ever finish at a Daytona 500. Martin Truex Jr left JGR after the 2024 season. Chase Briscoe will fill in for Truex in the #19 car.

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Chase Briscoe feeling the pressure of filling Martin Truex Jr’s boots

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JGR is one of the strongest NASCAR teams on the track. They are challenging for wins at every race weekend, while Briscoe’s previous team wasn't. The 29-year-old raced with Stewart-Haas racing for the last four years and finished ninth in the championship in 2022.

Chase Briscoe said (via NASCAR):

“I love the pressure side, but I do think this is probably the most pressure I’ve ever been (under) in my life, as far as professionally. It’s weird because there’s been other times where my career was literally gonna be over, right?

"But I feel like this is one of those opportunities where if you don’t perform, like, there’s no excuses. Like, you have to perform at JGR. So from that standpoint, it is different because everywhere else, there’s really not been that expectation.’

Martin Truex Jr is looking for a part-time role in a Cup series team for the 2025 season. He was believed to be in contact with 23XI Racing but then the negotiations fell through.