“We talked about it a few times”: Kevin Harvick on Martin Truex Jr’s NASCAR retirement

Kevin Harvick after his retirement last year, seems to have talked to Martin Truex Jr to make a final decision. Previously, the former SHR driver had publicly urged the #19 driver to make a definitive decision about his future rather than opting for year-to-year contracts. And now that Martin Truex Jr has finally decided to retire, Harvick opened up about his discussions with Martin Truex Jr.

Speaking on his "Happy Hours" podcast, Kevin Harvick candidly expressed that the situation Martin Truex Jr had created for his team was unfair. He believed the JGR driver needed to make a firm decision. After Truex Jr announced his retirement ahead of the Iowa race, Kevin Harvick was asked if the #19 driver had approached him to discuss the details of the retirement process and related matters. Kevin Harvick responded:

"You know we we've talked about it a few times here and there. I think the thing I'm most excited about for Martin is we have half a year to celebrate Martin's career and what he's meant to the sport and everything that he's done. I would be disappointed if he got to the end of the year and we weren't able to give him his proper farewell because he's been a big part of this Sport and I'm looking forward to um you know watching him race the last 20 weeks of the season and uh sending him off to uh probably a fishing boat somewhere," while talking to FrontStretch. [1:50-2:30]

Furthermore, amid rumors that Chase Briscoe might take over Martin Truex Jr's seat next year, Kevin Harvick commented that JGR appears to be moving on.

Kevin Harvick discusses rumors of Chase Briscoe taking over the #19 Camry in 2025

Since 2021, Chase Briscoe has been driving the #14 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). During his three seasons with SHR, Briscoe managed to finish ninth in the standings in 2022.

However, with SHR planning to cease operations after the 2024 season, Chase Briscoe is being considered as a potential replacement for Martin Truex Jr at Joe Gibbs Racing. Addressing the speculation on his "Happy Hour" podcast episode, Kevin Harvick stated:

"Maybe they’re at a point where they feel like it’s time for them to move on, and just start rebuilding the #19 team to be what the #20 team is, be like the #11, #54. They have secure situations that are going to be there for years to come.” [23:50-24:07]

Ironically, as per the stats, Martin Truex Jr has been performing better than Chase Briscoe despite being in his final year of the NASCAR Cup race. Although #19 hasn't won any races this season, he has consistently been one of the top performers on short tracks.