NASCAR Cup Series: Martin Truex Jr. to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2019

Martin Truex Jr. and crew chief Cole Pearn are set to move from Furniture Row Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

After months of speculation, the rumor regarding defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. moving to Joe Gibbs Racing from Furniture Row Racing, the team that have had a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing since the start of the 2016 season, for the 2019 season has finally been confirmed.

The 38-year-old Mayetta, New Jersey native is set to replace Daniel Suarez as the driver of the #19 Toyota in the 2019 season. Truex Jr.’s crew chief, Cole Pearn, is also set to make the switch from Furniture Row Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, and he is set to continue to be his crew chief.

Here is what Truex Jr. had to say about joining Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“Obviously to be able to make this transition and still be able to work alongside Cole is something that was very important to me,” Truex said in a release provided by the team. “There is also a real comfort level working with the JGR team and I wanted to stay in the Toyota family. We still have big goals for the remainder of this season, but it’s nice to know what we will be doing in 2019.”"

Here is what Joe Gibbs Racing team owner Joe Gibbs had to say about the addition of Truex Jr. to the team’s driver lineup for the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“Anytime you have an opportunity to bring two people of this caliber into your organization, it’s certainly an exciting time. They obviously have developed a chemistry that has led to tremendous success, including a championship. We’ve gotten to know them well over the past few years through the alliance and having been part of the Toyota family. They both make us stronger as an organization.”"

Gibbs added the following about the departure of Suarez from the team, according to NASCAR.

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"“We really appreciate everything Daniel has done for Joe Gibbs Racing over these past several years. He has made the most of every opportunity from winning the championship in the Xfinity Series to making the jump into the Cup Series for us. We look forward to hearing about his plans going forward and know he continues to have a bright future in our sport.”"

Truex Jr., who has won 16 races since joining Furniture Row Racing as the driver of the #78 Chevrolet (the #78 Toyota since the start of the 2016 season) at the start of the 2014 season and 19 races since his full-time Cup Series career began back in the 2006 season, was rumored to replace Suarez behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota in early September shortly after it was announced that Furniture Row Racing would be shutting down after the 2018 season comes to an end despite the fact that they previously denied closing rumors.

Here is what Furniture Row Racing team owner Barney Visser had to say about his appreciation for Truex Jr. and Pearn over the course of the time that they spent with the team, according to NASCAR.

"“I want to personally thank Martin and Cole for their contributions in making Furniture Row Racing a championship-caliber team. There’s no doubt in my mind that they will continue to be a winning driver/crew chief combination with Joe Gibbs Racing. They are outstanding representatives for NASCAR and I am proud to have been associated with them. But before Martin and Cole depart for a new endeavor we still have two races remaining, and hopefully we will be celebrating another championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”"

Aside of Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing’s current three drivers are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones. All three are set to return to the team in 2019 season and be Truex Jr.’s new teammates as a result of it.

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How will Martin Truex Jr. perform in his first season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing next year? The 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to get underway with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

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