“Next two weeks are pretty big”: Martin Truex Jr. hopeful of fairytale farewell to full time NASCAR career 

Martin Truex Jr. expressed hope of winning at least one race before retiring from full-time competition at the end of the season. He understood that the next two races on the calendar could be his final chance to park his car in victory lane.

Truex Jr. is a 44-year-old NASCAR Cup Series veteran who pilots the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. The New Jersey native announced his retirement from the premier series in June this year, ending his full-time Cup Series drive that started in 2006.

Per Frontstretch via X (formerly Twitter), Martin Truex Jr. was asked about which of the last four races he felt he could secure a win. The JGR driver responded by citing Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, the next two races on the calendar.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I think […] this track and Homestead are probably two of our better tracks […] I feel good about the next couple of weeks,” Truex Jr. said. [0:58]

As for the last two races, Martin Truex Jr. acknowledged not feeling optimistic about getting a win, saying:

“Martinsville, it’s not been that great with this car. Phoenix’s been hit-or-miss so I think the next two weeks are pretty big for us and I’m excited about them," he added.

The last time Martin Truex Jr. visited Martinsville Speedway, he finished 18th after starting from 4th. As for his last race at Phoenix Raceway, he crossed the line in P7 behind Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Christopher Bell in P1 and Ty Gibbs in P3.

For the upcoming South Point 400 race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the No. 19 driver will start from 12th behind Austin Cindric in 11th. Meanwhile, all his teammates qualified in the top 10, with Christopher Bell set to lead the field in 1st.

So far, Martin Truex Jr. amassed 34 wins including two Coca-Cola 600 victories in 2016 and 2019. Perhaps his biggest achievement in the premier series was winning the Cup Series championship in 2017. His chance for a second championship ended after getting eliminated in the Round of 16 last month.

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Martin Truex Jr. was rumored to race at next year’s Daytona 500 with 23XI

Martin Truex Jr. was rumored to return to the field as a part-time driver next year, particularly at the season-opener at Daytona 500. He could team up with 23XI but team co-owner and JGR teammate Denny Hamlin didn’t confirm the rumors.

During the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff media day in September, the playoff drivers were asked how often they expect to see Truex Jr. next season. While most drivers were clueless, 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said three times.

Martin Truex Jr. also responded to the question, saying he would likely participate in the 2025 season at least once.

“I’m not sure either. I’m kind of looking at it still. Definitely once. And then from there, you know, my guess would be five, six, seven times. So we’ll see,” the No. 19 driver said. [1:24]

If the driver returns to Daytona International Speedway next year, he will have another chance to win the Daytona 500 for the first time.