Twenty years ago, Martin Truex Jr. made his first start in NASCAR’s top division.
Known primarily at that time as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s protégé, many observers wondered if they were watching a future champion begin his NASCAR Cup Series career. Truex, of course, lived up to the promise he showed. Yet few could have predicted the twists and turns his career would take on the way to his current totals of one championship and 34 wins.
Now, as one of the elder statesmen of the Cup Series, the real questions are about how much longer Truex will be behind the wheel?
He is in the last year of his current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and turns 44 this summer. Additionally, life beyond racing has clearly been on Truex’s mind in recent years. Rumors of his impending retirement first picked up in 2022, particularly after he shockingly missed the playoffs. The No. 19 team had been solidly top 10 in points all year, but a lack of wins prevented Truex from securing a spot in the postseason. The disappointing end to 2022 and Truex’s obvious discontent ignited speculation that 2023 could be his final season.
Once last season got underway, it became clearer that nobody within JGR or Toyota was ready to see Truex go. He snapped his winless streak with a victory at Dover Motor Speedway. After another win at Sonoma Raceway, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson spoke openly about trying to keep Truex in the No. 19. There was work to be done, Wilson explained, because the contract that Truex signed in 2022 was only for one additional season.
Truex himself remained noncommittal, even after winning a third race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. By this time, he had taken the overall points lead and looked like one of the championship favorites.
Whatever funk the No. 19 was caught up in during 2022 felt like a distant memory. But Truex continued to ponder his options, even going so far as to say that his success in 2023 was not making a big difference in his decision. It was not until the first week of August that he announced his return for 2024.
Truex said at that time that returning felt like the right thing to do, but his contract was once again only for one additional season and he acknowledged that he was going on year-by-year deals.
Having settled on a plan for 2024, it appeared that Truex was geared up for a championship run. But as soon as the postseason began, the No. 19 team faltered. Truex’s speed suddenly…
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