“An idol of mine”: Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell lead tributes to Martin Truex Jr. following NASCAR retirement

Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell shared heartfelt tributes to their Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. following his retirement at the conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. Earlier this season, Truex Jr. announced that he would retire from full-time racing after the 2024 season.

Martin Truex Jr. is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished and has been a key figure in JGR. He finished his final NASCAR season as a full-time driver at 10th position in the Cup Series championship standings.

In a recent X (formerly Twitter) video of NASCAR, JGR drivers shared their thoughts about the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion after his final race as a full-time driver. Christopher Bell, who drives the #20 Toyota for JGR, expressed deep admiration for Truex Jr. He views the former NASCAR champion as an idol and wants to follow in his footsteps.

“For me, Martin has always been an idol of mine. I want to be similar to him. Martin Truex does things his way, and I've always cherished that about him,” Bell said.

Denny Hamlin, who has had many on-track battles with Truex Jr. before they raced together for JGR believes that Truex Jr.’s impact on NASCAR has not always received the recognition it deserves and hopes his legacy will endure after his retirement.

“I just think that Martin is one of the most underrated drivers that we have. I certainly hope our sport doesn't forget Martin after he's gone at the end of the year,” Hamlin said on Truex Jr.

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“He's a great personality”: Ty Gibbs on Martin Truex Jr.

Ty Gibbs, who joined JGR last year shared a playful and personable side of his relationship with Martin Truex Jr., showcasing the NASCAR veteran’s down-to-earth nature.

Describing the former #19 JGR driver, Gibbs said in a forementioned video:

“I think he's a great personality, very hard worker, loves fish. I'll send a picture of a beer to him, and he'll send one right back to me. It's a little joke, I guess.”

Martin Truex Jr. retired from NASCAR at the age of 44, marking the end of an era as he has been a staple of the Cup Series for over 20 years. He finished his career with 34 wins and 291 top-10 finishes, including prestigious wins at Crown Jewel events at the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500.

The New Jersey native claimed the NASCAR championships in 2017 on the back of a dominant season with eight wins. His impact on the sport must be remembered for both his on-track achievements and the respect he earned from fellow drivers.