Oldest Cup Series Driver Martin Truex Jr Was Close to Retiring After a Horrendous 2023 Playoffs Run

Young faces like Carson Hocevar, Ty Gibbs, and others may be getting into the scene and dominating the racetracks. But some experienced veteran drivers are still ruling NASCAR’s image, including Martin Truex Jr. However, he has been toying with the possibility of retirement for almost three years now, especially given a miserable playoff performance in 2023.

His team, Joe Gibbs Racing, always made sure to send him a heartfelt memo at the end of each year. Martin Truex Jr’s emotional ties with his team aside, little else remains to keep him. The racing game has changed by leaps and bounds since the first time he entered the racetrack.

“crazy to see how much has changed” – Everything is different now for Martin Truex Jr.

Turning 44 in June, Truex is currently the oldest full-time Cup Series driver, right after Denny Hamlin. MTJ’s long journey in NASCAR may speak for his current fumbling, as he may be approaching the final vestiges of his career.

In 2023, he broke his winless drought of the previous year. With 3 wins, 9 top fives, and 17 top 10s, he made it to the second round of the Cup Series playoffs. But the playoff race at Kansas Speedway shattered any dream of reaching the championship. He drove over debris on lap 4, punctured a tire, and crashed.

That accident stole a chunk of his motivational morale, and he contemplated retiring again. “After Kansas, I could have done it,” he said smiling. “No, I don’t get too hung up on it. Ten years ago, it would have been a lot harder to deal with. But I’ve been through a lot worse than that.”

Martin Truex Jr belongs to a bygone generation of racers who are not used to maneuvering the Next Gen car with ease, and neither do they enjoy it. This car is a spec vehicle and teams purchase parts from a single-source supplier to build it. Gone are those days when he built his own cars and fine-tuned them before a race.

Martin Truex Jr, renowned as one of the cleanest racers, has also been appalled by the youth’s blatant disregard for rules. The drivers are increasingly selfish, constantly putting others and themselves at rick for advancing ahead.

“It’s very strange, and it’s crazy how fast it happened,” Truex said. “It’s nuts how fast time goes by, and it’s also crazy to see how much has changed since I first started. The names, the cars, the teams, everything. It’s so different now.”

Martin Truex Jr. may be turning over a new leaf soon, but JGR keeps giving him a reason to come back.

Joe Gibbs wants Martin Truex Jr. to grace his team for longer

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Martin Truex Jr. has already led a glittering race career in NASCAR with 30 of his 34 Cup series race wins before the Next Gen car was unveiled, including the 2017 Cup Championship as his own and also achieved three season runner-up finishes. Further, Truex has already secured his spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Carrying such a stellar background permanently like a flowing red cape, Truex’s team will always think twice before letting him go.

Read More: “Nailed” Martin Truex Jr Rubbishes Richard Childress’ Grandson’s Claims of Triggering Unnerving Atlanta Stack-Up

Every year, JGR asks him, “Are you coming back? We want you back.”

Joe Gibbs also keeps snubbing his retirement tantrums. “He tells me the same thing every year, that ‘I’m right in the middle of trying to make this decision.’ I go, ‘Come on, what are you talking about, man? You’re making money, you’re having fun, you’re driving race cars. Come on.’”

Martin Truex Jr. is still unsure whether to hang up his helmet in 2025. Until he does, we will be pumped to see what awards he snags for the final part of his career.