As drivers, one of the most crucial motivating factors that will ever work in your favor is when the team owner supports you. This is exactly what contributed towards Martin Truex Jr winning the top spot in 2017 after he had one of the worst seasons in 2014. But how did this climb happen? After all, winning the Championship trophy does need careful attention and this came from the team. 

The 2017 victory for Furniture Row Motorsports has been a big move ahead and it has changed the perspective forever. Truex Jr., the former Joe Gibbs driver, had a steep learning curve, and his legacy was greatly shaped by the contribution of his team, Front Row Motorsports.

From 2014 to 2017, the secret formula that worked in Truex Jr’s favour

Let’s be honest! The run that Martin Truex Jr had from 2014 was not at all favorable. If there is one race that goes into the history of racing as a disaster, then it is certainly this one. Martin Truex Jr. finished 24th in the standings and this had been quite a shocking result. The five top-10 finishes marked a decline from the 16 achieved when Kurt Busch was behind the wheel the previous year. Similarly, Truex’s average finish of 20.2 was a step back from Busch’s 14.7.

However, it was in 2015, that there was a slight change in the standings. Incidentally, this was also the year when Cole Pearn became the crew chief. Following that year, the team ended up accounting for a victory at the Pocono Raceway, ultimately hailing a position at the Championship 4. Following a 24th finish in 2014 and then climbing to the top 4 was indeed quite an improvement.  Furniture Row’s championship journey often circles back to 2016. That year, Truex steered the No. 78 to four victories, and the team began to sense they could contend for a title. However, their hopes were dashed when a blown engine at Talladega Superspeedway ended their postseason run, leaving them reflecting on missed opportunities. 

The sudden improvement in the performance was an eye-opener for Barney Visser. He took up an initiative that ensured could work as a driving factor for Martin Truex Jr. Revealing the strategy, now Joe Gibbs insider, James Small revealed, “Barney [Visser] was a great owner in the way he went about it and the amount he invested in the team. He supported everybody and let them do their jobs. If you needed something, he made sure you had it. It didn’t matter how much it cost”. James Small had been working with Furniture Row Motorsports with Erik Jones in 2017 and thus was closely in vision with the happenings with Truex Jr. 

One of the strongest reasons that led to the victory was the camaraderie. It was also largely attributed to Pearn’s deliberate approach to building the group. Known for his methodical hiring process, Pearn sought individuals who combined experience with a tireless work ethic and the ability to have fun. Additionally, frequent testing sessions fostered closeness by keeping the team together for extended periods.

Martin Truex Jr shares his career summary 

Trending

Duped Fans Eyeing a Class Action Lawsuit Amid Rising Rusty Wallace Driving Experience Complaints

Kelley Earnhardt Motivates Son Wyatt to Upset Kyle Busch & Brexton’s Tulsa Dreams in 5 Words

Tulsa Shootout: Kyle Busch Wins Back to Back as Faceoff Against Kyle Larson & Christopher Bell Heats Up

NASCAR’s $267 Billion Partner Left Teary Eyed as Denny Hamlin Hunts for 2025 Motto

“Too Damn Expensive”: Jeff Burton Exposes NASCAR’s Money Grabbing Methods Draining Teams Dry

Martin Truex Jr recently retired from the NASCAR Cup Series as a full-time driver and in his 21 years career, he has competed in a total of 693 races. Further adding to his experience, Martin Truex Jr said, “And so I just feel like I’ve had a great career, more so than I ever thought I could accomplish or would accomplish, especially early on. And I’m just thankful for all the people I got to work with and the fans and all my partners that made it possible. I feel very lucky to be able to get to do what I’ve done”. 

Martin Truex Jr had a great run and the best part is that he might be a possible proponent for the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well. After he retired from the Joe Gibbs’ team, Martin Truex Jr shared some insights about his cumulative career journey. Reflecting on his run so far, Truex Jr said, “Happy. Thankful. Proud. Just the things we’ve been able to do. If you would have told me after my first couple years in the Cup Series that I would win 30-some races and a championship and had three runner-ups and just be around and be a solid, front-running driver for this long, I would be very excited about that”. 

Truex Jr. ‘s glorious career has led to some impressive stars. He has been able to account for 34 race wins, 25 pole positions, and 291 top-10 runs. To add to that, his Cup Series victory in 2017 has been an experience worth remembering. Truex Jr.’s legacy is defined not just by his impressive stats but by his resilience and the profound respect he garnered throughout a career that epitomized determination and excellence in NASCAR.