Truex, 43, has put collectively a Corridor of Fame profession, highlighted by 34 wins and the 2017 Cup Sequence championship.
Three of these victories have come this yr alone. He additionally gained the L.A. Conflict exhibition race simply earlier than the 2023 season started.
After one more dominant displaying this previous weekend, most would say it is a no-brainer for Truex to return subsequent yr, however after his victory in New Hampshire, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver defined why it is no so easy.
“I do not know. I am unsure,” he mentioned. “You understand, I used to be speaking on the market to Claire (B. Lang, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and I used to be like, this sport is not precisely what it seems to be generally. It takes a giant dedication.
“My workforce is superb. They deserve the perfect driver, the man that wishes it greater than anybody else, and I have been that man. I need to guarantee that if I come again, I am keen to do this. It takes lots. It isn’t simply present up on the monitor, drive the automotive, go residence. It takes lots. It takes a whole lot of dedication. It is a whole lot of journey. A whole lot of time lacking issues with household and buddies and all these issues that I’ve accomplished for 25 years. Do I need to hold doing it and am I keen to sacrifice all these issues once more for my workforce?
“In order that’s simply what I am serious about. I do not know that working good and profitable makes a distinction. It will be fairly superior to win the championship and stroll off into the sundown.
“I simply do not actually know. I do not actually know. I am unhealthy at making huge selections.”
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Reser’s High-quality Meals Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Jared East / NKP / Motorsport Photos
It was on June twenty fourth, 2022, when Truex introduced he would return for 2023, however final yr ending up being a forgettable one for the veteran driver, going winless and lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2014.
However this yr, the thought of profitable all of it after which doubtlessly strolling away a champion might be a really actual chance.Â
In fact, workforce proprietor Joe Gibbs would need to see Truex return, regardless of how the season ends. He’s the one JGR driver with a number of Cup wins this yr, and at present leads the common season championship.
“He tells me the identical factor yearly, that I am proper in the midst of making an attempt to make this resolution,” mentioned Gibbs. “I’m going, come on, what are you speaking about, man? You are earning profits, you are having enjoyable, you are driving race automobiles. Come on.
“However no, we’ve not — I believe it’s, although, essential for us to sort of have some strain right here as a result of it is strain for all of us. It is an enormous deal for us. I am hoping — I actually felt like he is having such, I believe, an amazing yr, and I believe he is having enjoyable, and so I am hoping that we get a great reply for us right here.”
