CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Maybe Martin Truex Jr. is the driver to root for through the rest of the NASCAR playoffs after his last-lap loss to Joey Logano at Martinsville Speedway.

His generation of jet-setting, lakefront-living, well-compensated stars has not been all that relatable to the average fan, a problem for NASCAR as it tries to energize its aging audience. Truex, the reigning Cup Series champion, is typically mild-mannered and unemotional, despite a handful of outbursts the past few months.

Then came Sunday at Martinsville, where Truex was furious that Logano had used a bump-and-run to get past him for the victory. Truex had raced Logano clean over the final 10 laps to complete his pass for the lead without putting a scratch on Logano’s car. Logano didn’t show similar respect and used his car to shove Truex out of his way.

The move denied Truex a victory that would have guaranteed a spot in the final race where he could defend his championship. It also denied him his first career victory at a short track, and a chance to celebrate once again with his Furniture Row Racing team before it closes for good.

“I just took a cheap shot at the end there,” Truex said. “I really wanted to win that race and feel like we definitely deserved it. We raced him clean. We passed him clean all day long and just outran him in the long run. It sucks, but that’s the way it goes. I can promise you I won’t forget what he did.”

Truex vowed not to allow Logano to win the title and promised that he would be collecting his second consecutive Cup trophy.