In his final NASCAR Cup Series race as a full-time driver, Martin Truex Jr. received a hero’s farewell from the racing community, capped off with congratulations from 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan and Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon. The 2017 Cup champion marked his last full-time race at Phoenix Raceway, and the NASCAR garage came together to celebrate his remarkable career and legacy.
Truex Jr., a veteran with Joe Gibbs Racing since the start of the Next-Gen era, had been hinting at retirement for some time, finally announcing that 2024 would be his last full season. The NASCAR garage honored him with standing ovations and heartfelt gestures before and after the season finale. During the pre-race drivers’ meeting, the entire garage stood in admiration, applauding the future Hall of Famer.
After the race, NBA legend Michael Jordan approached Truex Jr. as he was conducting interviews by his car. The two shared a warm embrace, with Jordan expressing his appreciation for Truex’s impact on the sport. Truex Jr. seemed visibly moved by the interaction, knowing that one of sports’ most iconic figures valued his career.
Jeff Gordon, now Hendrick Motorsports Vice President and a former Cup champion who once battled Truex fiercely on the track, also took the time to congratulate the No. 19 Toyota driver. Gordon, a former rival, embraced Truex and commended him on an outstanding career, a gesture that symbolized the respect Truex has earned across the sport.
Michael Jordan comes over to congratulate Martin Truex Jr. as he’s heading to Tyler Reddick. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Lbev2IfrB1
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) November 11, 2024
Reflecting on these interactions, Truex admitted feeling honored by the respect shown by legends like Jordan and Gordon. “Yeah, it means a lot to have the respect of guys like that and what they mean to the sport,” Truex said. “Absolute legends, right? It makes me feel good that I’ve earned that respect over the years, and it means a lot. From here forward, I’m just going to go have some fun and do a little bit of racing here and there just for fun. Hopefully, it will be less stressful than days like today.”
The outpouring of respect and admiration for Truex underscores his stature as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats. While he’s stepping back from full-time racing, fans can still expect to see him in select appearances, bringing his passion for racing to the track in a new way. Truex Jr.’s legacy and contributions to NASCAR will undoubtedly continue to inspire the racing community.
