NASCAR crew chiefs face make-or-break showdown at Martinsville Speedway

Posted : 27 October 2023

In NASCAR's high-stakes race to the Championship 4, two crew chiefs from Joe Gibbs Racing find themselves in similar predicaments, each 17 points below the provisional elimination line as they gear up for the penultimate showdown at Martinsville Speedway. James Small, steering the No. 19 team alongside driver Martin Truex Jr., has faced an uphill battle throughout the playoffs, grappling with setbacks, execution errors, and subpar results.

Their Regular Season Championship, earned over a stellar 26-race stretch, now seems a distant memory in the tumultuous postseason. Meanwhile, Chris Gabehart, commanding the No. 11 team with driver Denny Hamlin, has enjoyed consistent speed and solid results, yet they also find themselves in need of precious points.

Frustration reached its peak for the No. 19 Toyota team at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where sluggish pit stops continuously stripped Truex of valuable track position, culminating in an engine failure at Lap 237. Despite these challenges, Small remains optimistic, emphasizing the team's resilience and their ability to rise to the occasion in past elimination races.

One recurring issue for the No. 19 team has been subpar execution on pit road, particularly during the playoffs. This deficiency has impacted their race performance, forcing them to play catch-up. To address this, changes have been made to the pit crew ahead of the race at Martinsville.

Small underscores the critical role of pit stops and restarts in the modern NASCAR landscape. With cars more evenly matched, small gains, coupled with precise execution on pit road, can make or break a race. The No. 19 team hopes that these changes will help them regain their competitive edge.

The Homestead race witnessed both Truex and Hamlin facing mechanical issues, leaving them tied 17 points below the elimination line. Despite their prior status as Championship 4 favorites, they now have a challenging path ahead.

Heading into Martinsville, Team Penske's Ryan Blaney holds the final spot in the Championship 4, with a 10-point cushion over fifth-place Tyler Reddick. Truex and Hamlin are now tied for sixth, with their eyes set on Blaney's No. 12 Ford. The 17-point deficit looms large, but Gabehart remains focused on the 11 team's execution and their potential to perform well at Martinsville.

Gabehart and Hamlin have a history of making it to the Championship 4, except for the 2022 season when a dramatic move by Ross Chastain thwarted their plans. Hamlin is still chasing his first championship, having come close in previous years but facing various obstacles along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being willing to take risks and accept setbacks as part of the racing journey.

In this intense battle for a Championship 4 spot, both Small and Gabehart are navigating challenging waters, where every point and decision can make the difference between advancing and falling short of their ultimate goal.

NASCAR crew chiefs face make-or-break showdown at Martinsville Speedway

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