“We still got a chance”: Coach Gibbs' optimistic outlook after Martin Truex Jr.'s and Denny Hamlin's dismal results at Homestead

Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin entered the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series postseason as two strong contenders to enter the Championship race. But now heading into next week’s elimination race at Martinsville Speedway, both the drivers are 17 points below the cut-off line, or in other word out of contention to reach the season finale race at Phoenix Raceway.

The recently finished Homestead race proved to be a disappointing day for Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin. The #19 and #11 Toyota driver finished 29th and 30th as Truex Jr. had an engine failure on Lap 237 and just one lap later Hamlin had a mechanical failure that sent him into the wall.

Speaking to the media in a post-race interview, Joe Gibbs, the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing mentioned that it’s hard to make the final 4 race with just one race left in the playoffs. He also expressed his views about Truex Jr. and Hamlin’s qualifying situation. He later admitted that while it is disappointing to see where his two drivers sit in the playoff standings, he believes it still isn’t over until next week’s Martinsville.

“I think it’s hard to get in the Final 4. I’ll tell you that. I don’t think anything’s a given. Certainly the 19, all they did in regular season, like I mentioned, as good as they are, but we’ve had real disappointments with everything that’s happened,” Gibbs said as quoted by Pro Talk.

He also said:

“I think the 11 has been pretty consistent up until the last couple of weeks. I think you’re looking at it, and the great thing is we have three cars for our team that have a chance. We still got a chance. That’s the way we look at it. I think we’re going to Martinsville, it’s going to be a classic, I’m sure. But we do have a chance. We go there with both Denny and Martin…”

---

“To have the 19 do what it did in regular season” – Martin Truex Jr.’s team owner

The 4EVER 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a bit of a topsy-turvy day for Joe Gibbs Racing. They got the win in the form of Christopher Bell, but also two DNFs. Now, it will be more difficult for Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. to qualify for the Championship 4 at Phoenix on November 5.

Joe Gibbs said:

“I know Denny and Martin won’t either. It’s just amazing sometimes what can happen in this sport. To have the 19 do what it did in regular season, you don’t luck out on that. That was 26 weeks, won it by a bunch. It shows you what can happen in sports. It’s the greatest reality show in the world because we don’t know.

Watch Martin Truex Jr. and other JGR drivers in action next weekend at Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.