Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, Martin Truex Jr. will line up for the last time as a full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. The New Jersey native made his Cup Series debut on Halloween 2004, and in the ensuing 20 years, he carved out a legacy that includes a Cup Series championship and 34 career race wins. Despite retiring from racing full-time, Truex wants to continue driving.
“I still want to race, I don’t think I want to completely stop going forward,” Truex said. “I don’t know when and in what, but I’ll still try to have some fun. I still love racing and driving cars, just ready to not travel 40 weekends a year more than anything. That’s the only thing, just the travel and, every week, having to pick up and go again. So now I’ll be able to make a schedule, I can pick and choose when and where I go and I’m looking forward to that.”
Truex’s career will likely land him in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Sunday will be his 684th with 34 career Cup Series race victories. His career has been a fairy tale, and his legacy is secured with his 2004 and 2005 Xfinity Series and 2017 Cup Series championships.
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“I always dreamed I could. Always thought I could. But you know, in this sport and in life in general, that’s all just talk. So, it’s been fun to get it done a few times and be able to accomplish what we have during my career.”
Reflecting on his career, many emotions came to Truex’s mind.
“Stressful? (Laughs). I don’t know, I’m not sure there’s one word. There are so many different emotions and things I’ve been through over the years. It’s been a roller coaster, there’s no question. Just thankful for everyone who has done so much for my career, there’s more than I could even begin to thank.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating a lot of those people this weekend. I’ll have some friends and family at Phoenix and I know a lot of people from Bass Pro Shops and Toyota will be there, as well. I’m thankful for so many people and hope we can celebrate with them during the weekend for all we have been able to do together.”
Sunday at Phoenix Raceway is a good opportunity for Truex to go out on top. In 35 career Cup Series starts at the one-mile oval in the desert, Truex has one win, six Top 5 finishes, 14 Top 10 finishes, and has led a total of 259 laps. His average finish is 15.6 and a win would tie him for 24th all-time in Cup Series wins (35) with Joey Logano.