Martin Truex Jr. set to retire at the end of the season with SHR driver tipped to be his replacement - Reports

Veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. is reportedly set to announce his retirement from the NASCAR Cup Series, with Chase Briscoe being tipped to take over the #19 Toyota Camry at JGR.

Truex Jr. has been contemplating retirement for the past couple of seasons, signing yearly extensions with Coach Gibbs. It served as an indication that he was not committed to competing in the long term. With this year's silly season underway, speculation about his future in NASCAR intensified in the past weeks.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Martin Truex Jr. is set to announce his retirement this weekend at Iowa Speedway, stepping away from the Cup Series at the end of the season. He is expected to reveal the news in a press conference this Friday, June 14.

The 2017 NASCAR Cup champion is in his 19th full-time Cup season, boasting a storied career in the sport. Having won his maiden Cup title in 2017, with Furniture Row Racing, he has remained a perennial championship contender ever since.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup champion

Martin Truex Jr. is also a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion (2004, 05). He has racked up 34 wins at the premier level, including victories at crown jewel races - the Coca-Cola 600 (2016, 2019) and the Southern 500 (2016).

Following Truex Jr.'s retirement, reports suggest Chase Briscoe as the leading candidate to join the #19 Toyota team at Joe Gibbs Racing. The #14 Stewart Haas Racing driver is currently out of a contract for 2025, as SHR will close doors at the end of the season.

Briscoe has one win under his belt in the Cup Series and is one of the most highly-rated drivers currently seeking a ride for 2025.

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Kevin Harvick urges Martin Truex Jr. to make an early decision

Former Stewart Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick urged Martin Truex Jr. to make an early decision about his future, allowing his fans the opportunity to celebrate his achievements if he chooses to retire from NASCAR.

Harvick feels there is a lot of tension between Joe Gibbs Racing and Truex Jr. about his future availability. The Fox Sports Analyst urged the latter to make an early decision that would benefit both parties.

"Just feels like there’s a lot of tension. I don’t know, when you listen to the radio it just feels like there’s a lot of tension. I wish he would just say ‘I’m done. This is going to be my last year,’ so that we can celebrate Martin. I want the fans and the sport to be able to celebrate what Martin Truex has done in the sport," Harvick said on Happy Hour podcast.

Harvick announced his retirement in early January last season, allowing fans and the industry to celebrate his farewell tour at every track before culminating at Phoenix Raceway.