Martin Truex Jr. Receives Warning on NASCAR Return After Retirement

With the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season closed, Martin Truex Jr. has announced that he will step away from full-time racing. This marks the end of a strong chapter for one of the sport’s most accomplished and revered drivers.

Truex Jr. has received an outpouring of support and heartfelt farewells from the NASCAR community as he prepares to conclude his career on a high note. Describing his legacy, Joe Gibbs called him “a real champion, a really class act.”

Martin Truex Jr.’s journey in NASCAR began with difficulty. He started his career in the Busch North Series in 2000 with his family’s team. By 2001, Truex had moved to the Busch (now Xfinity) Series, making a mark with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Chance 2 Motorsports in his first full schedule year in 2004, clinching back-to-back championships both in 2004 and 2005.

Moving to the Cup Series in 2006 with Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), Truex faced tough times, including limited success with DEI and later, Michael Waltrip Racing. His career trajectory took a transformative turn when he joined Furniture Row Racing in 2014, a move that catalyzed his breakthrough in NASCAR.

His tenure with Furniture Row Racing from 2014 to 2018 marked a turning point. Known primarily as a single-car team under Barney Visser, this stint was foundational for Truex Jr., who won 17 races in his five seasons. His efforts culminated in eight remarkable wins during the championship-winning season of 2017. The achievement was even more poignant given the personal challenges faced by his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex, who was battling cancer at the time.

Following the closure of Furniture Row Racing in 2018, Truex Jr. moved to Joe Gibbs Racing. During his time with JGR, he notched an impressive number of victories, including seven wins in the 2019 season alone. Despite a change in crew chiefs from Cole Pearn to James Small in 2020, Truex’s performance remained top-tier, further cementing his status as a formidable competitor within NASCAR circles.

Joe Gibbs said the following:

“I just want to say to everybody, this guy many times comes to our meetings the day after tough things happen. And that guy’s personality and the way he handles things was a real champion and we just all really appreciate him and we are looking forward to whatever we can talk him into doing next year. I hope everybody here has looked at the same way. Thank you, Martin.”

Truex’s career statistics speak to his exceptional consistency. Over his Cup Series career, he has participated in 693 races with 34 wins, 147 top-5 finishes, and an impressive 25 pole positions. Despite a challenging start, Truex’s perseverance in the latter half of his career has earned him significant accolades, including his 2017 Cup Series championship, making him forever an important part of NASCAR history.

The announcement of Truex’s impending retirement has prompted reflections and praise across the NASCAR community. Denny Hamlin has been vocal about Truex’s influence and impact within the industry.

“I think Martin is one of the most underrated drivers that we have. Certainly how our sport doesn’t forget Martin after he’s gone at the end of the year,” he said.

Similarly, younger drivers such as Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs have lauded Truex’s mentorship and dedication.

“For me, Martin has always been an idol of mine. I want to be similar to him. Martin Truex does things his way and I have always cherished that about him,” Bell said.

Looking to the future, Martin Truex Jr. hinted at potentially joining one-off races. Denny Hamlin supports this: “I told him that I will have his Daytona 500 car ready immediately. Tell me the word. 100%. I would 100% do that. … Any time that Martin gets bored and wants to run Cup, we would have a seat for him for sure.”

Yet, not all advise a return. Kevin Harvick offered a cautionary warning.

“I hope he (MTJ) doesn’t come back and race, honestly. I think that when we see Jimmie Johnson come back and race, it’s not the Jimmie Johnson that we’re used to seeing upfront and competitive and doing the things that he did.”

He continued: “And I hope Martin, if he’s going to race, not race a Cup car. I just hope that he can keep his career intact and the way that everybody thinks about him with the performances that he had over the last several years and being competitive.”