NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Truex's Kansas heartbreak lost among historic finish

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated 5/5/24

Martin Truex might not have been a part of the closest NASCAR Cup Series finish ever on Sunday night, but he still has a good reason to be heartbroken about not coming home with the checkered flag.

Before a late spin by Kyle Busch sent Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway into NASCAR Overtime, Truex was in prime position to win the AdventHealth 400, and it was all thanks to his teammate.

Denny Hamlin was the defending winner at Kansas coming into Sunday's race and led 71 laps en route to what seemed like a normal fifth-place finish. But while Hamlin held the lead with under 10 laps to go, trouble was brewing for the No. 11 team.

Hamlin was estimated to be just short on fuel and was likely going to run out just before the checkered flag. In a desperate attempt to save fuel, Hamlin backed off, intentionally running slower laps in order to ensure he'd have enough has to finish the race.

Hamlin's misfortune ended up being exactly what Truex needed to close the gap and reel in Hamlin, as his lead fell to as little as six-tenths of a second. With Truex closing rapidly, it was likely that he would not only pass Hamlin easily for the lead but drive away, grabbing his first win of the season and getting revenge after a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Hamlin at Richmond earlier in the season.

Martin Truex Jr. said he would have caught Denny Hamlin if there was no late caution. He obviously needed fewer people to take two tires as he took four prior to the final restart. pic.twitter.com/DIsLVEthqZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 6, 2024

Unfortunately, fate thought Truex's plan was going just a little too well.

Truex's former teammate, two-time Cup Series champion Busch, spun with seven laps to go, allowing the entire field, including Hamlin, to come down pit road for one final pit stop. While Truex did ultimately finish one spot better than Hamlin, all he could do was watch as Kyle Larson bested Chris Buescher in the closest finish in Cup Series history. In a cruel twist of fate, Truex even ended up losing his own photo-finish battle with Chase Elliott for third.

Whether it be at Richmond or Kansas, Truex simply can't escape the jaws of defeat this season. He'll have to wait until next Sunday's race at Darlington to collect his first checkered flag of 2024.

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