"I really don't care anymore; ridiculous" - Martin Truex Jr. criticizes NASCAR rivals' driving behavior after Watkins Glen

Martin Truex Jr. pulled no punches, criticising driving standards while talking to NBC's Dustin Long. The soon-to-retire Joe Gibbs Racing driver was visibly frustrated after getting caught in a pile-up during the closing laps of Sunday's Cup Series race.

Truex Jr. was 16th at the time of the incident. However, he got sidelined four-wide and lost several spots. Following the restart, he found himself in another mess ahead of the esses. As a result, the Toyota pilot had to commit to the pit road for fresher tires and repairs.

Despite winning Stage 1, Truex Jr. was 20th in the chaotic overtime finish. It was the second consecutive week of getting involved in wrecks caused by fellow drivers.

"I'm tired of this," Martin Truex Jr. told Long during a post-race interview. "You get green-white-checkered at the end of the race, people are just gonna drive through everyone. We were in the wrong lane; on the short end of the stick as usual."

"We were in a decent spot there with our Camry, and you go through the esses, and they just plow through you and put you in the marbles. This racing is just ridiculous. I don't really care anymore," he added before walking away.

Two of the three Joe Gibbs Racing drivers are currently on the bubble. Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 JGR Camry, is 6 points behind the cutline, while Truex Jr. ended up 14 points below the elimination line for the Round of 12. Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs are the only Joe Gibbs Racing drivers who will enter next week's race at Bristol with point advantages.

Martin Truex Jr. slams fellow racers after "frustrating" day for Joe Gibbs Racing

It was not a rewarding day for Joe Gibbs Racing at "The Glen". Both Bell and Hamlin got involved in a wreck right at Lap 1 with the latter wrecking again at lap 45. None of them were able to deliver a top 5 or even a top 10. While Bell finished 14th, his teammates finished 20th and worse. Hamlin ended up finishing 22nd and Gibbs, 23rd.

"I don't understand how guys can call themselves the best in the world whenever they just drive through everyone on restarts at the end of these races," Martin Truex Jr. said in an interview with Skewcar. "It's very frustrating but it is what it is these days."

Nevertheless, Denny Hamlin sounded hopeful about his own chances of making it to the next round. The Tampa, Florida native won the last two races at Bristol Motor Speedway and eyes the upcoming race at the Tennesseean short-track.

"It’s not over yet. Not over yet. Not over until the end of Bristol," said Hamlin (via NBC Sports).

Will Denny Hamlin be able to overcome his point deficit next week? Will Martin Truex Jr. advance to the next round? Fans are left pondering over these questions for now.

Meanwhile, the drivers prepare for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 21. NBC Sports and USA will cover the 500-lap event (7:30 PM ET). PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide radio updates on the same.