“Who takes over the 19 now”: Fans react as reports indicate Martin Truex Jr. imminent retirement announcement 

NASCAR fans have responded to veteran journalist Jordan Bianchi talking about Martin Truex Jr.'s impending retirement announcement. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is reportedly expected to retire at the end of the current season.

According to a report from The Athletic, Truex Jr. will meet the media at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, June 14, at Iowa Speedway, where he will announce calling it a day on his career. Till date, Truex Jr. is the oldest full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series arena.

"NEWS: Martin Truex Jr. expected to make retirement announcement on Friday, sources tell @TheAthletic," Jordan Bianchi wrote on X.

Several fans reacted to the reports of Martin Truex Jr.'s imminent announcement, with one wondering who would replace him behind the wheel of the number 19 Toyota Camry.

"Who takes over the 19 now," the fan said.

Another fan chimed in, pondering the question of who JGR would sign as the new number 19 driver.

"Let the __ to the 19 rumors begin!" the fan exclaimed.

Here are some other reactions to the upcoming reports of Truex Jr.'s retirement:

"Hate to see him retire. To me it just seems that he was pressured into making this decision. People constantly talking about it and asking him about it, And I’m sure Gibbs has been on him about making a decision so they can plan. He is still competitive, wish he would stay longer," a fan wrote.

"I wasn’t expecting Truex to retire. I know that he’s tossed it around, but I didn’t think he’d actually retire this season," said another.

Suggesting that Martin Truex Jr. should have been the one to announce his own retirement, a fan commented:

"Thanks for letting him announce his news."

On that note, another said:

"Why not allow him to announce it on his own? Genuine question."

"I try not to get too caught up in it"- Martin Truex Jr. on the possibility of a Hall of Fame induction

The Toyota pilot told The Athletic that while being in the NASCAR Hall of Fame was special to him, he tries to not get too carried away, as his history in the sport was still being written.

“(The thought of being in the Hall) is really special to me, but I try not to get too caught up in it,” Truex said in an older interview, as reported by The Athletic. “I’m still writing my history. I’d still like to add some more things to it to hopefully get in there on the first try.”

Martin Truex Jr. has driven for almost two decades in the Cup Series. Besides his Cup Series championship, the Stafford native finished as the runner-up on three occasions and has made it to the coveted Championship 4 five times. He is also a two-time Xfinity Series champion.

Truex Jr. has 34 victories on the Cup level, which includes triumphs in the crown jewel Coca-Cola 600 and the prestigious Southern 500. His last victory came in the Crayon 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2023.

Truex Jr. is currently fifth in the Cup Series standings with 508 points to his name so far