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NASCAR President Steve Phelps remarks on Martin Truex Jr. retirement decision

JHby: Jonathan Howard06/14/24Jondean25
Martin Truex Jr Nashville
(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The big news of the week is the fact that Martin Truex Jr. is retiring from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of the season. NASCAR President Steve Phelps offered his own comment on the matter.

Martin Truex Jr. is easily a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Everything that he has done on the track and beyond proves as much. Now that his retirement is almost here, it is hard to imagine that the 20-year ride is over.

Steve Phelps shared much of the same sentiment in his remarks.

“Martin Truex Jr. has been a consistent figure over the last two-plus decades in NASCAR – a consistent winner, champion and fan-favorite,” Phelps said, via Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. “Though he especially excelled on NASCAR’s biggest stages, Martin performed his craft with a quiet tenacity, allowing his immense success [to] tell his incredible story. On behalf of the France Family and all of NASCAR, I congratulate Martin on a wonderful career and wish him the best of luck for the remainder of his final full-time season.”

Next season will be different. Martin Truex Jr. will not be in the 19 car. There will be a different fourth driver at Joe Gibbs Racing.

When it comes to replacing Truex Jr., it will be difficult from a talent and sponsorship standpoint. He is a championship-winning driver who is still competing at a high level. Right now, there is no word on a replacement, but there have been plenty of rumors.

Martin Truex Jr. does not have an official replacement yet

Joe Gibbs Racing is going to be working hard to find a fitting repalcement for one of their best drivers. Martin Truex Jr. means a lot to the organization and has done so much for them in his time behind the wheel of the 19 car.

The rumors name Chase Briscoe as the frontrunner. Then again, that might not be the case because Noah Gragson has Bass Pro sponsorship. If you know a thing or two about Gragson and his feelings for Ty Gibbs then that seems a little far-fetched.

There is also a group of Toyota and JGR drivers who would love to get behind the wheel of the 19 car. Sheldon Creed, not proven himself enough. Tanner and Taylor Gray aren’t ready and honestly, neither is William Sawalich despite being a great up and coming prospect.

Right now, Chase Briscoe might be the best option to replace Martin Truex Jr. A driver who has won in Xfinity a ton, has a Cup Series win, and has the respect of the garage from a talent standpoint.