Martin Truex Jr. might be destined to take home his second Cup Series championship in 2023. He accomplished one feat already, as the NASCAR playoffs begin at Darlington Raceway this week.
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Truex was able to accumulate enough points during Saturday night's race at Daytona to secure the 2023 regular season championship.
That gives him a huge boost as the series heads to the Southern 500 to begin the 10-race playoffs. He also finds himself tied with William Byron for playoff points. Both look to be the top contenders for the 2023 championship.
Though he hasn't won the same number of races he did en route to his 2017 championship, Truex has shown the same consistency that he needs to get the job done once again.
Following a not-so-great 24th place in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, reporters including Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass asked Truex what it means to have won the regular season title.
Martin Truex Jr. won the regular-season title and hopes he can keep the same consistency throughout the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/BBP86l9S71
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2023
"Well, we've been consistently at the front all year long, and we have been able to win races, we've been able to execute and minimize mistakes," Truex said. "So, I just got to thank my team for great race cars, and bringing me to the racetrack every week feeling confident of what we can do."
En route to his 2017 series championship, Truex also won the 2017 regular season title, which was the first year that was implemented in the sport. After all the rumors of a possible retirement after the 2023 season, Truex looks to be ready for not only a possible shot at the championship this year but also for the next few years.
In a post-race press conference, Truex talked about how special it was to go out and accomplish what his team was able to do after not winning in 2022 and failing to make the playoffs.
"It feels great. I mean, obviously, at the beginning of the year you set out to be the best, and uh you know for the regular season championship, it's a huge deal with the 15 points that come along with it are really very very important for the playoffs," Truex said. "Just really proud of my team. Thankful to turn it around from last year, missing the playoffs to being here tonight is a big deal for all of us."
Truex has his eyes set on winning a second Cup championship. And, clearly, he and Byron are the two to keep an eye on this point; they have arguably been the best two drivers all season. The last 10 races can change things in a hurry, but Truex clearly has the momentum heading into Darlington.
