Martin Truex Jr. expressed frustration on the radio after the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway as his No. 19 car fell outside of the top 10 spots despite being in position to win the event.
It was a disappointing finish for the 2017 Cup Series champion and now one former NASCAR driver believes the current partnership within the No. 19 team could be coming to an end soon.
NASCAR figure believes Martin Truex Jr.’s current situation will likely change soon
Truex entered the first season of the NextGen car with plenty of optimism as he finished in top-2 spots within the point standings in four of the last four years. However, the idea of a new car was certainly better than the results.
The driver of the No. 19 car failed to win a race during the 2022 season and actually missed the NASCAR playoffs because of it. There were 16 winners so they all took a playoff spot instead of Truex.
NASCAR then rolled into Los Angeles, CA for the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum in early February 2023. Truex secured the victory as he stood on the podium next to former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch.
There was plenty of momentum heading into the new campaign but it has yet to produce results. Truex only has one top-10 finish through seven races and that was a seventh-place effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
After the animate conversation with crew chief James Small after Richmond, Kyle Petty, a former NASCAR driver and member of NBC Sports, had this to say about Truex’s partnership with Small moving forward.
“Who walks away? Who makes a change? Does (Joe Gibbs) and those guys step in?…I think we’re getting to a point where this is not a viable option. When the day goes away like that, you just got to pick up the pieces and go to the next race. (Martin Truex Jr.) seems to want to blame (James Small) for everything that goes on or everything that has happened. You live as a team, you die as a team. That’s the way it is…I think we’re really close to that. I think we’re seeing the beginning of the end in this situation for these two guys.”
Kyle Petty on Martin Truex Jr.’s future with James Small/Joe Gibbs Racing
There are a lot of different angles that can be taken from what Petty said following Richmond. Is Small going to be a part of the equation moving forward or will Truex simply walk away from Joe Gibbs Racing?
It has been 51 races since Truex’s last victory in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 42-year-old driver seriously considered walking away after the 2022 season which means the 2023 season could be it for him.
There will be many decisions that have to be made moving forward and Truex’s possible retirement could be the biggest one. Continue reading to find the latest on Truex’s future in the Cup Series.
Related: Predicting if Martin Truex Jr. retires after the 2023 season
Latest update on Martin Truex Jr.’s potential NASCAR retirement
Truex entered Daytona 500 Media Day in February probably expecting a question on his potential retirement and it did not take long for it to come up in the availability. This was expected as his retirement announcement would be the second one this year by a NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Once Truex was asked about a potential retirement decision, he was quick to say that he had no clue. However, he did say something at the end of his quote that was quite interesting.
“No idea. No idea. Literally, no idea. I’m not even lying. Yeah, I don’t know. I’m going to make that decision when the time comes. Until then, I’m going to work my (expletive) off and try to win a bunch of races. If that’s the case and that’s happening, then I’ll probably be back…pretty simple, really.”
Martin Truex Jr. gives update on retirement decision ahead of 2023 Daytona 500
Truex was having a good time with the conversation and laughing about it but the comments themselves seem sincere. Plus, it makes sense why Truex would return if he starts winning races like he was before the 2022 season.
The 42-year-old driver will give some time on a decision to see how the team performs this season, as expected. It has not been too hot thus far but there is still plenty of time for Truex and the No. 19 team to turn it around.
Truex’s future in the Cup Series will continue to be a big topic of conversation throughout the season as he could join Kevin Harvick as another full-time driver departing NASCAR.