"Never say never" - Martin Truex Jr. hints NASCAR Truck Series return after JGR exit

Martin Truex Jr. hinted at the possibility of returning to NASCAR with the Truck Series. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver announced earlier this month that he would retire from full-time racing in the Cup Series after this season.

However, some have speculated that he might return to racing in the Truck Series to clinch a championship there. When he was asked about returning in 2025 to compete in the Truck Series, Martin Truex Jr. replied that he would not be racing next season.

He did, however, claim it might be a possibility in the year after that. Martin Truex Jr. said:

"A lot of people have been asking me that, friends especially, and people in the sport that I've worked with over the years. But as of right now I'm not running full-time anything next year so definitely going to take the year off full time. But never say never, maybe the year after who knows." [0:56]

Martin Truex Jr. has taken part in three Truck Series races throughout his career in 2005, 2006, and 2021. He also managed to win his last Truck race in 2021.

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Chase Briscoe set to replace Martin Truex Jr. at JGR in 2025

Chase Briscoe currently drives the #14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. The team has been home to him since his Cup Series debut in the 2021 season. However, SHR will cease its operations in NASCAR at the end of this season.

Following the announcement from SHR, Chase Briscoe's future seemed uncertain. That changed last week when Joe Gibbs Racing announced Briscoe as their replacement for Martin Truex Jr. He joins the team which already includes Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell as full-time Cup Series drivers.

JGR owner Joe Gibbs sounded rather confident about Briscoe replacing the departing veteran. Talking about Briscoe's journey to racing, he stated that not only does signing him make emotional sense, but they also believe that they can win with him. Gibbs told the media in the official announcement:

"I think what really hit all of us besides Chase [Briscoe] and his background, you go back and look at Xfinity races that year and you see some of the other things he's done. He's already won a cup. But the thing when you hear him sit and talk about his background. And the sacrifices that he made to race I think that hit Johnny. I think his story and the way he sacrificed to do what he does was really impressive. I know it impressed Johnny and JP. And it did me."

"But also we have to win and so we came down to the end. We think Chase can win. And so that's where we are and it's a thrill for us," he added.