The Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway saw the conclusion of a dramatic 2024 NASCAR Playoffs and the end of Martin Truex Jr’s illustrious career.
Tension was high heading into Phoenix as people debated over who would win the Cup Series this season. William Byron came into the race as the in-form driver, while Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick carried momentum from winning races in the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Playoffs.
After a tense battle between the two Team Penske drivers Blaney and Logano, it was the latter who held on to claim victory and his third Cup Series title.
Logano overcame penalties and several cautious to bring home the title in what was a solid performance from the No. 22 driver. His third championship win makes him only the tenth driver to achieve such a feat.
The race also marked the final event for Truex Jr, who has decided to call an end to his 21-season Cup Series career.
Kevin Harvick does not want Martin Truex Jr to return to the Cup Series
The No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing driver finished 17th at Pheonix after taking pole position for the race. The 44-year-olg got into some drama with the champion Logano during the event as the Penske driver did not leave enough room on the track, leaving Truex Jr at ‘breaking point’.
Truex Jr said before the race that retirement ‘hasn’t sunk in’ yet, but now, speaking on his Happy Hour Podcast, Kevin Harvick thinks the JGR driver can enjoy his personal life away from racing.
The 2014 Cup Series champion also does not want Truex Jr to return to the Cup Series, stressing that he should look to keep his career intact.
“Well, I’m glad Martin went out somewhat competitively with the pole and having his last race and doing all the things that he did.
“When you’re racing against the 20-year-olds and early thirties, when you get into your forties and have kids, and Martin doesn’t have any kids, but when you have a life outside of racing it becomes much more difficult to balance everything.
“So, I think he was just at the point where he was done with it. I hope he doesn’t come back and race, honestly.
“I think that when we see Jimmie Johnson come back and race, it’s not the Jimmie Johnson that we’re used to seeing, up front, competitive, doing the things that he did.
“I hope Martin just, if he’s going to race, not race a cup car. I just hope he can keep his career intact and the way that everybody thinks about him with the performances that he had over the last several years and being competitive.”
How did Martin Truex Jr’s NASCAR Cup Series career play out?
Truex Jr began his career with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2004, making three appearances that season in the No. 1 car. Making more part-time appearances in 2005, he got a full-time seat the following year.
Staying with the team until 2008, the Mayetta-born driver moved to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for 2009 before spending the next four years at Michael Waltrip Racing.
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Truex Jr’s move to Furniture Row Racing in 2014 in the No. 78 car is where things started to kick on as he regularly competed at the front. He claimed the 2017 Cup Series title with the team with a storming run in the playoffs, finishing in the top three in the last five races with a win in the Championship Race at Homestead-Miami.
The 44-year-old finished runner-up in the next two seasons, with the second of those being in his debut season with JGR in 2019.
Truex Jr spent six seasons with the team, finishing second again in 2021. The No. 19 car was his final machine as he grabbed 34 wins, 25 poles and 291 top 10 finishes across a brilliant career.