Martin Truex Jr. announces return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023

By Bob Pockrass
FOX Sports NASCAR Writer

LEBANON, Tenn. – Martin Truex Jr. nonetheless desires to drive a race automotive. So he’ll.

Truex mentioned Friday that he would return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023 as the perimeters have agreed to phrases for subsequent season.

The 42-year-old Truex, the 2017 Cup champion, has weighed for the final six months whether or not to return to JGR or retire.

His announcement was pure Truex. During his weekly media availability – which usually embrace a query on his 2023 plans – the No. 19 JGR driver walked into the Nashville Superspeedway media heart and easily mentioned: “I’ll be again in the 19 subsequent yr.” 

Martin Truex Jr. on why he determined to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing for 2023

Martin Truex Jr. on how Joe Gibbs, Sherry Pollex and his latest championship near-misses influenced his resolution to stay at JGR for 2023.

Three weeks in the past, Truex mentioned he was a bit of tormented in making an attempt to work out what to do. Currently sixth in the Cup standings, the winner of 31 Cup races mentioned he took recommendation from many and made the choice on his personal.

“The aggressive aspect of me mentioned, ‘I’m not finished and I’m going to hold preventing,’” Truex mentioned. “So right here we’re.”

Truex mentioned he simply needed to take a look at whether or not he needed to proceed racing and took his time as he discovered NASCAR’s new Next Gen automotive. Obviously group proprietor Joe Gibbs had finished his finest to persuade Truex to race not less than yet one more yr.

“I attempted to simply to take into consideration all this myself and determine it out,” Truex mentioned. “Friends and household helped as properly. I simply needed to look and ensure I used to be doing the precise factor.”

Truex advised his group earlier Friday and mentioned he was shocked that they had been excited. It’s not that he thought they needed him gone, however he mentioned he underestimated the feelings they’d have.

“They had been happier than I anticipated them to be,” Truex mentioned. “I simply didn’t notice what it meant to them for all of us to work collectively and the bond we developed. … They’re an amazing bunch.”

While he does have one Cup title, Truex has completed second in the standings in three of the final 4 years. He mentioned that was a motivating issue. 

“I’d love to get one other alternative,” Truex mentioned. “I really feel just like the possibilities of which can be nonetheless there. If they weren’t, I would not be right here. I do not race for something lower than placing myself on the market and doing the very best we will do.

“I really feel like we will nonetheless do it. So we’ll hold preventing.”

And so will 2023 positively be the final yr?

“These selections will not be straightforward,” Truex mentioned. “It took me six months to work out this one. Give me six extra not less than to work out the subsequent one, please.”

Bob Pockrass has spent a long time overlaying motorsports, together with the previous 30 Daytona 500s. He joined FOX Sports in 2019 following stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @bobpockrass. Looking for more NASCAR content? Sign up for the FOX Sports NASCAR Newsletter with Bob Pockrass!