NASCAR: Did Martin Truex Jr. hint at upcoming decision?
By Randy Smith
Martin Truex Jr.’s NASCAR Cup Series future has been the subject of speculation for quite some time, but his recent comments may have hinted at an answer.
Martin Truex Jr. has seen many ups and downs during his NASCAR career, but he has persevered to reach a point where he has become a worthy Hall of Fame candidate.
Truex started out driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc./Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and he only won a single race in his four full seasons (six total seasons) there. He added just one more win in his four seasons with Michael Waltrip Racing.
It took until the two-time Xfinity Series champion piloted the #78 car for Furniture Row Racing for his career to blossom. He added a third career win in 2015 before he more than doubled his career win total with four wins in 2016. He more than doubled his career win total again with eight wins in 2017, when he secured his first Cup Series championship.
After the 2018 season when Furniture Row Racing folded, he stuck with Toyota and headed to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he has since been a threat for race wins on a weekly basis.
But recent speculation has surrounded Truex’s future — or lack thereof — in the Cup Series, with retirement being seen as a possibility 41-year-old. For a driver with 31 wins and a Cup Series championship to his name, it may just be a reality.
Truex’s recent comments further solidify that retirement may be what’s in the cards.
Earlier this week, Sports Business Journal‘s Adam Stern shared a quote from Truex’s discussion with Fox Sports 1’s Chris Myers.
.@MartinTruex_Jr to FS1's @The_ChrisMyers on his future in NASCAR: "I'm getting closer. I should know here pretty soon. ... But I've had a great career, had a lot of fun and been fortunate enough to work with a lot of great people and make a lot of great friends and had a blast." pic.twitter.com/8GTyNkww86
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 13, 2022
All in all, Truex seems to be reminiscing on his NASCAR career, highlighting the many positives he has experienced over the years while noting that a decision is “closer”.
The Mayetta, New Jersey native seems to be painting a clear picture on his future by looking at everything that is in the rearview mirror.
Next. Daniel Suarez didn't clinch a playoff berth. dark
With a formal announcement expected soon, is it only a matter of time before the driver of the #19 Toyota officially announces his retirement from NASCAR and the focus turns to his potential replacements? With a deep pool of talent in the Toyota Racing Development camp, there is a long list of possible drivers to take the reins, if the writing on the wall indeed comes to fruition.