NASCAR Cup Series: Joe Gibbs Racing Is Doomed to the Back of the Grid With Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs will be starting from the rear at the upcoming Atlanta Motor Speedway race, the opening round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The decision to reposition Truex Jr. and Gibbs-both representing Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)-comes after precautionary modifications to their engines’ plug wires. Detected by Toyota Racing Development crewmen, these pre-race adjustments aimed to prevent potential issues.
Similar changes were made to Truex’s No. 19 Toyota and Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota, the drivers’ vehicles. These changes had earlier affected Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota, which led to his last-place qualifying finish. After the one-lap time trials on Saturday, Gibbs had started the qualifying session as the top Toyota driver, finishing in 20th place. But now that engine plug wire replacements are required, he and Truex will have to start the Quaker State 400 from the rear, which will make it difficult for them to advance in the standings.
After his qualifying problems, Hamlin addressed the media, as reported by Motorsport, saying, “They see a few red flags, certainly.” They’ll investigate it tonight, work it out, and make the necessary repairs for tomorrow.” In contrast, Michael McDowell rejoiced about his pole position in the Quaker State 400. As previously reported by Newsweek, McDowell reflected on his successful qualifying and said, “Yeah, I would have told you you’re lying.”
“I think coming into this weekend, [sitting] on the pole in the spring race earlier in the season, I felt that pressure to come back here and have another shot at it. “Today, we performed our strategy admirably. You know, I don’t believe it’s a big indication of anything, as far as whether it’s an indication for tomorrow.”
