Martin Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. share a close friendship and have been teammates in the NASCAR Cup garage. The garage is currently at Iowa Speedway for the first Cup Series race on the 0.8-mile track. This race week has become even more significant as future Hall of Famer Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 Cup season.
The NASCAR community has mixed emotions about this decision made by the 2017 Cup Series champion. Truex Jr. has been highly respected and loved by his fellow drivers in the garage since his debut with DEI. Another Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has a close bond with Truex Jr., had an emotional message to share about the retirement announcement.
Truex Jr. himself took to social media to make his retirement official. He expressed his gratitude for the support he has received and acknowledged the achievements he has reached throughout his NASCAR career. Earnhardt Jr. also praised Truex Jr., highlighting his skills as a driver and their friendship.
During a press conference in Iowa, Truex Jr. was asked about his approach to the remaining races of the season, knowing that retirement is near. He stated that he has no specific expectations and does not foresee major changes in his team. However, he is determined to enjoy every race and fully embrace the time he has left in the sport.
Despite retiring from full-time racing, Truex Jr. still intends to contribute to the sport through occasional appearances. It would be a special moment for fans if they had the opportunity to see him race alongside the Earnhardt family once again, this time in the Xfinity Series with JRM.