Analyzing the last nine Cup Series races where Martin Truex Jr. led 100-plus laps

So close ... yet so far. 

Such was the theme for Martin Truex Jr. following Sunday's Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, where the driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led 228 laps and looked to be on the cusp of winning his first Cup Series race of 2024. However, a resurgent Denny Hamlin eventually prevailed in NASCAR Overtime, preventing Truex from seizing that elusive victory. Richmond marked an astounding fourth consecutive race that Truex has been passed for the win in 2024, tied for the second-longest streak in series history. 

The occasion additionally marked the seventh time in nine Cup Series races -- dating back to 2020 -- where Truex led at least 100 laps and failed to find Victory Lane. NASCAR.com dives into all nine instances here and analyzes what happened in each race.

RELATED: Truex discusses Richmond finish

Date: Sept. 6, 2020
Race: Cook Out Southern 500, Darlington Raceway
Started race: 6th
Finished race: 22nd
Laps led: 196
Race winner: Kevin Harvick

What happened: The 2017 Cup Series champion Truex made quick work through the opening two stages, prevailing over Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, respectively. However, with 15 laps remaining, Chase Elliott and Truex -- racing 1-2 -- scraped into the Darlington wall. Damage to Truex's right-rear quarter panel came after attempting to overtake Elliott going through Turns 1 and 2.

Date: Nov. 1, 2020 
Race: Xfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway
Started race: 2nd
Finished race: 22nd
Laps led: 129
Race winner: Chase Elliott

What happened: It was once again a strong start for Truex, and while he didn't win Stages 1 or 2, he did gradually work his way through the field, finishing sixth and second in both, respectively. With 43 laps remaining and with Truex leading, the No. 19 was forced to pit road following a loose right-front wheel. The final result eliminated Truex from the Playoffs, and Elliott prevailed next week at Phoenix to win his first Cup Series crown. 

Date: March 29, 2021 
Race: Food City Dirt Race, Bristol Motor Speedway (Dirt)
Started race: 5th 
Finished race: 19th
Laps led: 126
Race winner: Joey Logano 

What happened: Fortune certainly favored Truex. After all, Truex claimed the dirt win in the Truck Series hours prior, and this translated to a Stage 1 victory in the Cup race, too. That came after dodging a Lap 41 wreck by just that much while leading the field. Finishing fourth in Stage 2, coupled with a still-strong car, Truex looked to be on the right path to claiming the doubleheader dub. However, Truex cut a tire while running third on the final lap of NASCAR Overtime, which ended his chances of claiming two victories in one day. 

Date: April 18, 2021
Race: Toyota Owners 400, Richmond Raceway
Started race: 1st
Finished race: 5th 
Laps led: 107
Race winner: Alex Bowman 

What happened: Truex's 107 laps led was precisely 100 laps fewer than that of Denny Hamlin, who finished runner-up to Bowman. Even still, Truex finished second to Hamlin at the conclusion of Stages 1 and 2. Truex relinquished the lead for good on Lap 345, and while a late-race caution via a Kevin Harvick spin bunched the field together with 12 laps to go, Truex's short-run speed could not make up the difference to claw back to the front. 

Date: May 9, 2021
Race: Goodyear 400, Darlington Raceway
Started race: 4th
Finished race: 1st
Laps led: 248
Race winner: Martin Truex Jr. 

What happened: This one worked out for him. Lengthy green-flag runs, coupled with a balanced Toyota that helped contribute to excellent long-run speed eventually culminated with Truex sweeping all three stages. The No. 19's margin of victory was 2.571 seconds, which easily put Truex ahead of runner-up Kyle Larson.

Date: July 17, 2022 
Race: Ambetter 301, New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Started race: 1st
Finished race: 4th 
Laps led: 172
Race winner: Christopher Bell

What happened: The polesitter in the No. 19 looked to be the Next Gen car to beat in New England, headlined by his race-leading 172 laps led and Stage 1 and 2 wins. So what happened? With approximately 100 laps to go, a two-tire stop became the No. 19 team's downfall. As a result, Truex dropped back to the fringes of the top 10 before eventually working back up to a top five. Perhaps with another caution -- the final 92 laps went green -- Truex's short-run speed could've been enough to grind back to the head of the pack. 

Date: May 14, 2023 
Race: Goodyear 400, Darlington Raceway
Started race: 1st
Finished race: 31st
Laps led: 145
Race winner: William Byron 

What happened: Everything was going swimmingly for Truex to start, with the No. 19 leading 137 of the opening 138 laps to take Stage 1 with relative ease. The tides began to turn in Stage 2, and with a tighening Toyota, Ross Chastain was able to take the lead on Lap 151. In an attempt to reclaim the lead from Chastain at the end of Stage 2, Truex veered to the inside of the No. 1 in Turns 3 and 4 and made contact with the Chevy, causing the No. 19 to spin out. The trouble didn't end there either. After restarting third on Lap 281, Truex once again was involved in a spin-out, this time as part of an eight-car incident.   

Date: July 17, 2023
Race: Crayon 301, New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Started race: 2nd
Finished race: 1st
Laps led: 254
Race winner: Martin Truex Jr. 

What happened: Nothing much in the way of on-track action prevented Truex from dominating at New Hampshire. If anything, the only share of adversity came from Mother Nature, which shifted the race to a Monday afternoon start, the first such race in the track's 30-year history. No matter, however. Sweeping Stages 1 and 2, not to mention leading for 20-plus laps on four separate occasions during the race, illustrated the crisp and clean running of the No. 19 that eventually netted him the famed lobster and his first Cup win at New Hampshire to boot.  

Date: March 31, 2024
Race: Toyota Owners 400, Richmond Raceway
Started race: 7th 
Finished race: 4th 
Laps led: 228
Race winner: Denny Hamlin 

What happened: Finishing fifth in Stage 1 and first in Stage 2 was just the start for Truex, who flashed strong long-run speed all the way toward what looked to be a sure victory in hand. Alas, a caution flew right before the white flag waved, and NASCAR Overtime was initiated. A combination of a fast pit stop from the No. 11 and a not-as-fast stop from the No. 19 saw the former win the battle off of pit road, and that was part of the difference between Hamlin winning and Truex faltering.