By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
When news released that the newly retired Martin Truex Jr. will hang up his NASCAR suit at the end of the 2024 season, it was not a surprise. Truex has been hinting at this inevitability for a few years now. The timing of the announcement was sped up in part because the Stewart-Haas Racing team is folding at the end of the year and teams are looking to sign the free agents and perhaps buy the charters that are available. Joe Gibbs Racing is clicking on all cylinders and the competition which has four young drivers, — the No. 4 (Josh Berry), the No. 10 (Noah Gragson), the No. 14 (Chase Briscoe), and the No. 41 (Ryan Preece) — has been one of NASCAR’s most formidable competitors over the years. In addition to their two Cup Series titles, Stewart-Haas also employed Cole Custer, the reigning Xfinity Series champion.
Truex Legacy
The announcement is about Truex Jr. His importance is not lost by Toyota President David Wilson
“Martin has been a fierce competitor, champion and loyal friend to Toyota and TRD for over a decade. He is the only NASCAR driver to win Cup races in a Toyota Camry across three different race team organizations – a remarkable achievement. His genuine personality and consistent performance have made him a fan favorite and someone who will truly be missed on-track each week. Martin’s racing achievements highlight just how talented of a racer he is, and his outstanding work off-track with the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation showcases the incredible person he continues to be. Martin is a future Hall of Famer, and someone we will always be honored to call a part of the Team Toyota family.”
But everyone is wanting to hear from Martin. “I’m obviously here to let y’all know that I won’t be back full-time next year,” Truex said Friday in a press conference with team owner Joe Gibbs, confirming the widely reported news that he will exit the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at season’s end.
More on the Stewart-Haas Racing Team Closing
It’s About Freedom
Freedom is what Truex craves and having some control of his own schedule.
“It’s the right time for me. I’ve thought about it a lot for the last few seasons – just waited for that feeling in my mind to be positive, like ‘This is OK, I’m good, and I want to do something else,’” Truex said. “In the 21 years that I’ve done this, I’ve never missed a race. I’ve never missed a practice. I’ve never been late for anything. I’ve never missed an appearance. You live your life by a schedule that somebody makes for you, and it’s just time for me to make my own schedule.
Martin Truex Jr. addresses his retirement from full-time racing
“That’s really what it boils down to. I want to go do the things I want to do, and I don’t want anyone to tell me when I can and when I can’t do those things. I still love racing. I’m still going to race some – I don’t know what, when, how, why – but I feel very fortunate to be in this position to make this decision.”
Truex is still very competitive
Truex has been in the mix to win several times in 2024, but his ‘racing luck’ has been anything but. He has four top-5 performances with two additional top-tens and two stage wins.
MORE: Truex through the years | Every Truex win in the Cup Series
Though winless so far this season, Truex currently is fifth in the Cup Series standings, despite running out of fuel and finishing 27th in last Sunday’s road course event at Sonoma Raceway.
As he plans his exit from full-time racing, Truex has few, if any, regrets.
“I would say I’ve achieved more than I ever thought I would,” he said. “That being said, there’s a lot of heartbreakers. There’s a lot of things you go back and think about like, ‘Man, if that had turned out different.’
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
