Martin Truex Jr has had quite a career, hasn’t he? The 44-year-old will be lining up as a full-time Cup Series driver one last time at Phoenix Raceway, twenty years after making his debut on Halloween 2004. In the last two decades, the New Jersey native has carved out a legacy in the sport, securing back-to-back Busch Series titles as well as a Cup Series championship in 2017. His career will likely land him in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and it’s hard to imagine a more deserving candidate.

Despite the many highs that he has experienced, Truex Jr has been through his share of lows. Reflecting on the topsy-turvy journey he has been through so far, the driver shared early career experiences ahead of his race at Phoenix.

Martin Truex Jr takes a trip down memory lane

Martin Truex Jr will want to end his career on a high. He might not be in contention for the title, but that won’t stop him from attempting to spoil the Championship party. Just like Ross Chastain last year, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will want to enter Victory Lane at Phoenix Raceway, securing his first win of the season. Won’t it be a fairytale ending to his magnificent career? While his performances in the season have left much to be desired, particularly in the playoffs, if there’s one driver who can turn back the clock and pull off a result, it’s MTJ.

Reflecting on his career so far, Martin Truex Jr candidly said, “A lot of hard work, a lot of struggles. DEI started out really good and won in our second year and made the playoffs. Then it was kind of downhill from there. It didn’t last very long after that and then, went to MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) and started out slow. We finally win our first race there and then make the playoffs and then things kind of fall apart there too. Just a lot of hard work and not a lot of success.”

When the checkered flag is waved at Phoenix Raceway, there will be bittersweet emotions in the NASCAR garage. To have been able to witness Martin Truex Jr’s highly decorated career unfold in front of our very eyes has been a privilege, which includes his 34 Cup Series victories including two Coca-Cola 600s and a Southern 500. However, his 2017 Cup Series championship with Furniture Row Racing will always be the pinnacle of his career, as Truex Jr went on to secure eight wins that year, including the season finale at Homestead-Miami.

However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Four out of five teams that Martin Truex Jr has raced for have closed down while he was driving for them. Despite all the adversity, the tough years have been a character-building journey for the veteran racer and made him appreciate the success he has experienced so much more. While his trophies will remain safely in his cabinet as a reminder of his pursuit of excellence on the racetrack, what Truex Jr will miss the most is the camaraderie he has shared with his colleagues. The 44-year-old said, “The relationships are really what you take from here and things that will go on for years to come.”

Truex Jr. is looking forward to slow Sundays

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Living in the fast lane isn’t easy. Just ask Martin Truex Jr, who has been traveling for the majority of the last two decades. While competing at NASCAR’s highest level can be physically demanding, traveling from one racetrack to another, year after year, also takes a mental toll on drivers. While his love for racing hasn’t diminished, the New Jersey native is looking forward to his part-time role in NASCAR to enjoy more leisurely weekends.

When asked by Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass about the aspect he will miss the least from his time as a full-time driver, Martin Truex Jr. said, “The traveling, just every Thursday getting ready to go. It’s just nonstop. It’s a grind, and it’ll be nice to just not have my schedule printed out for me a year in advance. That’s the biggest thing, really, is just having some time to myself to do what I want and still getting to race some, too. So just doing things on my own terms.”

Sharing how he will spend his Sundays going forward, Truex Jr candidly said, “Hunt and fish. Enjoy life. I’m sure I’ll watch some racing still, probably won’t be as closely interested in it as I am now.” However, before the veteran driver can finally hang his helmet, he has one more race to compete in. Phoenix Raceway will be his perfect swansong, as the No. 19 Toyota driver has won at ‘the desert oddball’ once before and secured six top-five finishes on the 1-mile track. Will he be able to pull off a clutch performance in the most important race of the season? Let us know in the comments!