Martinsville Speedway is no stranger to intense battles, but the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race between Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano turned into one of the most talked-about clashes in recent history. The race had everything—strategy, drama, and flaring tempers—and ended with Logano pulling off a controversial last-lap move that left Truex Jr. fuming.

The Bump-And-Run by Joey Logano That Changed Everything

With just a few laps remaining, Truex Jr. made a clean pass on Logano, taking the lead and seemingly on track to claim victory. But Logano wasn’t about to let it go without a fight. As they roared into the final corner, Logano employed a classic short-track maneuver—he bumped Truex Jr. and snatched the race win.

Logano made contact with the left side of Truex Jr.’s Toyota, nudging him up the track just enough to squeeze by and take the checkered flag. Truex Jr., now pushed wide, lost momentum and dropped to third place, watching his hard-fought lead slip away in an instant.

While Logano and his Team Penske crew celebrated the win, Truex Jr. was left fuming. In his post-race interview, he didn’t hold back, calling Logano’s tactics “cheap” and making it clear he wouldn’t forget what had just happened. “I took the lead from him fair and square, and then he gave me a cheap shot. It’s a cheap win,” Truex Jr. said.

Martin Truex Jr. Sends a Warning

Truex Jr. wasn’t just upset about losing the race—he was frustrated that he had raced Logano cleanly, only to be shoved aside in the final moments. “He may have won the battle, but he’s not going to win the damn war. I’m just not going to let him win,” Truex Jr. warned, suggesting that payback could be on the horizon.

Logano, however, had no regrets. “We didn’t wreck each other,” he said. “We bumped into each other a lot, and that’s what this sport was built on.”

In the end, Logano’s aggressive move paid off in the biggest way possible—he went on to win the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series championship. For many fans, however, the Martinsville finish remains one of the most debated moments in recent NASCAR history. Some saw it as a classic example of short-track racing, while others agreed with Truex Jr. that it was a cheap shot. Either way, it’s a moment that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.