“Life is about change”: Brad Keselowski sad but understanding of Martin Truex Jr.’s NASCAR retirement decision

RFK Racing driver/co-owner Brad Keselowski has expressed a mix of sadness and understanding regarding Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement decision. Last week, Truex Jr. announced that the 2024 season will be his last year racing full-time in NASCAR’s top-level series.

Brad Keselowski, who has competed against Truex Jr. for a long time, felt sad to see the former champion leaving the sport but accepted the fact that it’s a part of life. Keselowski admitted Truex Jr. carried significant weight within the NASCAR community, highlighting his enduring impact on the sport.

In an interview with Frontstretch, reacting to Truex Jr.’s retirement decision, Keselowski said:

“Martin certainly has earned a lot of respect and credibility out of the industry. He’s done that with things he’s done on the track and off the track. I’m sad to see him go and I’m kind of reminded that life is about change. It’s not always fun change, but it’s tough seeing any champion leave this sport, but we wish him the best in his next endeavors.”

Brad Keselowski praised the 2017 NASCAR Cup champion for his remarkable contribution to the sport, emphasizing his stellar performances on the track.

Keselowski continued:

“Martin is just kind of a telltale story of this sport of somebody that came in with a really great pedigree, winning two Xfinity championships and got to the Cup side and paid a lot of dues.”

The #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver has won 34 Cup races in a two-decade-long career. Truex Jr. won a career-high eight races in 2017, when he won the maiden series championship. He is also a two-time Xfinity Series champion, claiming it in 2004 and 2005.

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“He’ll be missed in our sport”: Brad Keselowski

RFK Racing co-owner praised Truex Jr. for his exceptional talent behind the wheel and calm behavior. Keselowski admitted that the veteran driver will be missed despite the uncertainty surrounding his future plans.

Keselowski said:

“He’s a super talented guy. Martin is a very chill guy, so I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and I don’t know what his next chapter is; maybe he doesn’t know either, but that’s OK. He’ll be missed in our sport.”

Martin Truex Jr. has yet to win a Cup race in his final full-time racing season. He last won a Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2023. Truex Jr. has four top-5s and seven top-10s in 13 races this season and is fifth in the standings, 61 points behind points leader Chase Elliott.