NASCAR: Martin Truex Jr. signs extension with Joe Gibbs Racing

Martin Truex Jr. has signed a contract extension to remain with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Less than a week after noting that talks with the team about a contract extension had moved forward, Martin Truex Jr. has signed a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing to keep him behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota through the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“We have had talks and things have moved forward,” Truex said last Friday during his Daytona 500 media availability.

Now he is officially set to return to the team for a fourth season in 2022. The 40-year-old Mayetta, New Jersey native began competing for the team in 2019 after the Joe Gibbs Racing-affiliated Furniture Row Racing shut down following the 2018 season.

Truex won the 2017 championship with Barney Visser’s team and finished runner-up in 2018 before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing.

Here is what Truex had to say about his contract extension.

"“I’m happy to get this news out there so we can focus on this season and the future with Joe Gibbs Racing. This is where I wanted to be and to continue building on the success we have had together the past two years. I appreciate Coach, my team, everyone at JGR and all of our partners like Bass Pro Shops, Auto-Owners Insurance, Reser’s Fine Foods, Stanley Black & Decker and Toyota for making this possible and I look forward to continuing those relationships as we move forward.”"

Here is what team owner Joe Gibbs had to add.

"“Extending Martin’s agreement has been a big priority for us this offseason. Martin brings so much to our organization. Obviously he’s talented and shown he can win at any race track but his insights also helps to make all our teams better.”"

As a result of Truex’s extension, all four drivers at Joe Gibbs Racing are now under contract through at least the 2022 season. Prior to Truex signing his new deal, the team extended Denny Hamlin’s contract via a multi-year deal. Like Truex, Hamlin was due to become a free agent after the 2021 season ended.