In nine weeks,

Martin Truex Jr., the 2017 Cup champion, will retire from NASCAR at 44, ending a storied career. Though some say his retirement has been overdue, courtesy of the man’s subpar fortunes in the last couple of years. But in 2024, things have been as bad for him as they were when the Next-Gen car rolled out in 2022.

Speaking of the 2022 season, Truex Jr. went winless for the second time with Joe Gibbs Racing. And by the looks of things, his farewell tour looks destined for that same fate, unless he pulls off a late-season miracle that will go a long way for his fans in the future. After all, this true icon of the sport does not deserve to end his glorious career on yet another barren run.

Martin Truex Jr. qualified in P2 for the 2024 Go Bowling at The Glen this Sunday. The 44-year-old is no stranger to the iconic road course nestled in the Finger Lakes region. In his 17 combined starts at the racetrack, MTJ has finished inside the top-5 seven times, winning once during his championship year in 2017 with Furniture Row Racing. However, currently, riding a disgraceful 43-race winless streak, 19 points below the Round of 12 cutline, Truex will certainly hope for some familiar magic in the Northeast.

Currently, MTJ finds himself winless alongside rookie teammate Ty Gibbs, while Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell have secured multiple wins in 2024—a stark contrast. Gibbs looks poised for a long career with his grandfather’s team, while Truex risks an early Playoff exit in his final full-time season. Now, the latter’s recent struggles, including barely making the playoffs as the last seed after back-to-back DNFs, have sparked growing concern among fans.

Before he goes out at Watkins Glen one last time driving a JGR Cup car, Truex reveals a concerning insight into his mind. “I’m not pissed off but it is a little frustrating because it seems like no matter what we do, it’s the wrong thing,” Truex explained, “No matter what we do… we can’t catch a break. It has been frustrating, but the guys are working hard,” as per a post shared by Matt Weaver on X.

 

 

But what is causing these hindrances for the #19 team?

As per Martin Truex Jr. himself, “It is not a lack of speed… It is a lot of different things. You call it a slump – great players get in slumps in other sports, and that is what I feel like it is.” However, in his words, he also admitted, “Some days I make mistakes, some days the team makes mistakes.” Regardless, MTJ was hopeful of a last-ditch silver lining, and stated, “Just have to put it together on one day and hopefully that is this weekend.”

Truex fans worldwide are hoping he finally “

puts it all together” this weekend. If he doesn’t, he’ll have just one more chance to secure a spot in the next round of the championship chase. If not, we’ll see a sports icon potentially bow out early in his bid for a final Bill France Cup before retiring. Despite his impressive career achievements, Truex’s competitive drive remains strong—just ask his teammate, Denny Hamlin.

Could we see Martin Truex Jr. back at The Glen in 2025?

The Joe Gibbs Racing #19 team won three races last year. Hence, the reason his teammate, Denny Hamlin, gave was that Truex, more often than not, gets

“caught up in some other people’s things,” which has unfortunately resulted in not having “the year that they’ve been hoping for by any means.” On the Actions Detrimental, the #11 driver shares his confidence in Martin Truex Jr. and thinks he was “certainly capable” of pulling off an upset at Watkins Glen.

• But Hamlin’s faith in Truex was clear with his decision to drive the third 23XI car at the season-opening Daytona 500 next year. After MTJ announced his retirement at Iowa a few weeks ago, Hamlin had also said, “I told him that I would have his Daytona 500 car ready immediately. Just tell me the word. 100% I would. He’s a great driver. Why wouldn’t I?” Another opportunity for the two teammates to work together, but this time in a different capacity.
• Then just last week, Truex confirmed his plans to compete in next year’s ‘Great American Race’, with his former crew chief, Cole Pearn, returning to lead his pit box. According to trusted sources, he will reportedly drive the No. 78 or No. 56 car for 23XI Racing. That is good news for all those who thought Martin Truex Jr. just might silently exit NASCAR altogether. Besides, that only means he will have one more chance to win that coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy that he hasn’t been able to put his hands on yet.

However, when the media in Watkins Glen asked MTJ if he would consider the NY road course as part of his part-time schedule next year, he cryptically noted,

“I’m not sure. I would like to. I really do enjoy it. We will just see. I haven’t looked into my schedule yet – Xfinity and things like that. One step at a time.”

As the discussions wound down, it became evident that Truex had far bigger concerns than the prospect of another race in 2025. Instead, he’s focused on the next nine races, which sit on top of his 2024 priority list. But to imagine a NASCAR race without MTJ will not feel right the following season.

That being said, would you want to see Truex run a part-time entry at The Glen next year?