Martin Truex Jr. considered walking away from the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2022 season but decided to make a return to Joe Gibbs Racing. With the 2023 NASCAR season firmly underway, Truex’s potential retirement becomes a bigger conversation.
What is the latest update on the 2017 Cup Series champion’s future and what does that suggest moving forward?
Martin Truex Jr.’s latest update on retirement suggests the No. 19 team needs to start winning
The 2022 season was definitely rough for Truex as it represented many firsts for the first time in a while. The driver of the No. 19 car finished the campaign with zero wins, four top-5 finishes, 15 top-10 finishes, and a 14.9 average finishing position.
All of those statistics were the worst for Truex since the 2014 season when he drove for Furniture Row Racing. It was very surprising to see him struggle to the point where he missed the playoffs. No one expected that decline after finishing top-2 in the point standings four of the five years prior to the NextGen car.
This created a stronger desire to win and Truex did just that during the Clash at The Coliseum. It was a positive start to the 2023 season but fast forward nine races and the Joe Gibbs Racing driver only has one top-5 finish and three top-10 finishes.
In fact, Truex is on pace for four top-5 finishes and 12 top-10 finishes which is worse than last season. This makes his last update on a potential retirement incredibly eye-opening as he could be one of two NASCAR Cup Series champions stepping away from the sport.
Truex was asked about a decision on his potential retirement during Daytona 500 Media Day and revealed the scenario where he would probably return to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2024 season.
“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 at Daytona 500 Media Day
It was pretty simple for Truex to say but the results have been disappointing to this point. The No. 19 team has been running well as Truex ranks 10th in average running position but the results have not matched the performance.
For example, the driver of the No. 19 car was in the best spot to win the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway but he didn’t have fresh tires on the final restart. Truex expressed frustration as crew chief James Small never told him about the situation and he finished in 11th place.
However, Truex finally closed out a race well at Martinsville Speedway when he climbed through the field and secured his first top-5 finish of the season. Perhaps, it could be a sign of things to come for the No. 19 team.
Quite frankly, it seems like a necessity. If Truex does not win a race during the 2023 season and puts up the same statistics as last year, it would be really demoralizing. The easiest way for him to come back is to see success with victories.
Truex has not captured that magic since the Clash at The Coliseum and once a driver considers retirement, it is coming sooner rather than later. The next month or two will be very crucial and good, consistent runs need to come soon.
If the 42-year-old driver does step away from NASCAR, which drivers would be ideal to fill the opening at Joe Gibbs Racing? Continue reading to find out three candidates that would make sense for the No. 19 car!
Related: Martin Truex Jr. likely nearing the ‘beginning of the end’ with James Small
3 ideal candidates to replace Martin Truex Jr. if he steps away from NASCAR after 2023
Joe Gibbs Racing may have to fill the No. 19 car (or No. 18 car) if Truex steps away from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2023 season. If so, these three candidates are likely the best options for the organization.
Sammy Smith, 18, currently drives the No. 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and has been really impressive. Smith shows speed every single week and won his first Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway in March.
The 18-year-old driver is NASCAR’s best prospect and could be following a similar path to Ty Gibbs. If so, Smith will be in the Cup Series soon and Joe Gibbs Racing would be foolish to block his entrance to the top level.
John Hunter Nemechek is an obvious choice if the organization doesn’t want to rush Smith to the Cup Series. Nemechek, 25, is going to win multiple races this season and should be in the Cup Series no matter what in 2024.
The 25-year-old driver will have several options as teams look to pursue a good, young talent. If Joe Gibbs Racing wants to keep Nemechek within the program, it’s going to take a Cup Series seat to make it happen.
Michael McDowell would also be an unexpected name to some people; however, the driver of the No. 34 car has experience with Joe Gibbs Racing. McDowell, 38, has been impressive with Front Row Motorsports and could be in line for a better ride.
The 38-year-old driver could be given a one-year deal to prove his worth and represent another stop-gap option for the organization. Of course, if McDowell started to compete at a high level, it could create a complicated situation.
Joe Gibbs Racing would have plenty of drivers calling about a potential opening but replacing Truex is a difficult task. Hopefully, the driver of the No. 19 car turns it around and wins at least one more time before his driving career is over.