Martin Truex Jr., known as the “King of Speed,” announced his retirement from the NASCAR franchise in early July, leaving many stunned. At Saturday’s qualifying session, he earned the final Busch Lite Pole of his career at Phoenix Raceway, ending his career on a high note, which was not surprising given his dominance throughout his 21-year career. He finished 17th out of a 40-car lineup to close the season and is currently ranked 10th in overall standings.
Truex, behind the wheel of the Great Outdoors No.19 for Joe Gibbs Racing, started at the front of the line on race day Sunday, averaging 134.741 mph and just 0.10 seconds over Joey Logano, who took home the cup. Though he may not have won the race, he has accomplished the unthinkable and experienced some of the best moments of his life in the sport, making the 44-year-old feel fulfilled and grateful.
Martin Truex Jr.’s Career Highlights
Martin Truex Jr. started his first venture as a kid racing Karts at New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey and dreamed of following in his Father and veteran Busch Series North driver Martin Truex Sr.’s footsteps. As soon as he was old enough to seek opportunities outside of karting at 18, he went for it, moving to the modified division behind the wheel of a full-fledged car for the first time. Due to a desire to race more competitively and get his name out there, Truex Jr. moved to Mooresville, North Carolina, in early 2000 to pursue a career with NASCAR in the Busch Series North racing under his family outfit Truex Racing.
Starting his career in the Busch Series North outlet was the precursor to a career filled with remarkable accomplishments for Truex. This move eventually pushed him into the ARCA Menards Series East until he returned to NASCAR to compete in the Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity, and the Cup Series. Martin Truex Jr.’s stint in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing is where most of his success was made in the No.19 Great Outdoors Toyota driver’s seat, earning him 291 top tens, 34 wins overall, and 25 poles, when the veteran driver moved from Furniture Row Racing.
Starting with Joe Gibbs Racing, Truex finished 35th in the 2019 Daytona 500, which was not his proudest moment. Still, as time passed, he secured five consecutive top-ten finishes and two top-twenties before he took it to the next level, securing a short-track cup title in a sweep at the Richmond Cook-Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Martin Truex Jr. would go on to six more wins, bringing his total to seven that year, leading the number of wins for any driver. Moments like these make the driver look back and smile, knowing he achieved all he could and took advantage of the time he was given.
An Emotional Send-Off at Phoenix Raceway
The last race of Martin Truex Jr.’s career was emotional for some of the fellow drivers he’s spent time with on and off the track during his 21-year racing career. He was surprised with a standing ovation during a driver’s meeting ahead of Sunday’s race in Phoenix, something he had not expected. He was largely unfazed as drivers and team owners gathered around him to embrace him and send him off with their best wishes and appreciation for his dedication and success as a driver.
While Martin Truex Jr. appreciated the gesture, he mentioned when questioned how he felt about the end of his career that he wasn’t sad, but he did wish he could’ve done a better job after beating Joey Logano to start first in Sunday’s race. Truex thought he had what it took to pull it off and questioned if he could have finished better had his No. 19 Toyota been equipped with new tires. This has to be frustrating, considering he started the race from his pole position, leading the first nine laps.
Ending his career disappointed is not how Martin Truex Jr. foresaw his last Cup Series race turning out. Even so, he stated that he had a lot to be proud of and was honored by the recognition he received on Sunday in a video compilation highlighting the entirety of his NASCAR career, which made him feel proud and humbled. He also mentioned he’d be happy to take some time off to spend fishing, his favorite hobby outside of racing, and he certainly deserves it, but he will return for at least one race in 2025, the Daytona 500.
“Still not sad,” he said. “Everybody wants me to be sad I’m happy.” I’m celebrating. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, a lot to be proud of. I’m going to enjoy some time off here and do the banquet and all that fun stuff, and it’s going to be fun to come back in a different role and race for fun.” Martin Truex Jr. on the end of his career.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to have fun.” It’s so hard to have fun when you take it this seriously, and I was having fun early today, and then it got miserable. I was hoping today would go better so it’d be more fun. We’ll see. I’m looking forward to Daytona,” he added.
Final Thoughts
The story of Martin Truex Jr.’s career is one you have to see to believe. As a youngster karting in New Jersey, he never would’ve imagined that he would be a part of some of the best names in the NASCAR franchise, like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chip Ganassi, Michael Waltrip, Furniture Row Racing, and Joe Gibbs and become a 34-time winner. However, he leaves a positive example for fellow drivers and fans today and a legacy that will leave a lasting impact for generations of drivers to come. He’s always put 110% into whatever he set out to do, and Martin Truex Jr. brought all that and then some to a sport where only the fittest survive. Thank you for your contribution, No. 19. Your generosity, positive outlook, and determination are unmatched in this sport and something that will remain unmatched.
