The 2024 NASCAR Cup season marks the final chapter for Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel of the #19 car. Earlier this year, Truex Jr. announced his retirement, reflecting on his career with satisfaction. The 2017 Cup Series Champion expressed his contentment, saying, “I feel like I’ve achieved more than I ever imagined. A championship and three runner-up finishes in this elimination format—I’m really proud of that.”
While Martin Truex Jr.’s NASCAR career has spanned over two decades, his brother, Ryan Truex, continues to face challenges securing a full-time position. Despite demonstrating talent similar to his sibling’s, Ryan has struggled with financial backing. Although he is a two-time ARCA series champion and has multiple Xfinity Series wins, he remains a part-time driver due to funding issues. Recently, Martin provided an update on Ryan’s uncertain future.
Ryan Truex’s situation remains precarious. During the recent Xfinity race at Atlanta, Ryan, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished 10th. Despite nine starts this season and achieving five top-10 finishes, including two top-5 finishes and two wins, his average finish is a respectable 14.33. However, Ryan’s experience includes only one full-time Xfinity season back in 2018 with Kaulig Racing, where he finished 12th. The lack of sponsorship support continues to hinder his career, reflecting the high costs of running a full-time NASCAR team.
Before the Watkins Glen race, Martin Truex Jr. was asked about Ryan’s prospects at a press conference. Martin expressed disappointment, stating, “As of now, Ryan doesn’t have a full-time ride. He’s working hard to secure opportunities but faces challenges primarily due to sponsorship. He’s diligently pursuing leads and balancing his sim work with efforts to find a full-time seat in Xfinity. There are discussions with potential sponsors, but nothing is finalized yet.”
Funding has been a recurring obstacle for Ryan. In 2017, he ran a full Truck Series season with Toyota’s primary sponsorship, and in 2018, he had backing from multiple sponsors like Bar Harbor Foods and Phantom Fireworks. Unfortunately, those sponsors did not continue after that season, leaving Ryan without a full-time ride. On the Door Bumper Clear Podcast, Ryan addressed the sponsorship dilemma, noting, “It’s fundamentally about money. Securing full-time sponsorship is incredibly difficult, especially when competing with those who can guarantee significant funds. It’s challenging to gather the millions needed to present to a team.”
Ryan Truex’s talent is evident, and if he could secure the necessary funding, he could compete effectively in the Xfinity Series. His performance has shown improvement over the years. After losing his full-time ride with Kaulig Racing post-2018, Ryan raced in six events for JR Motorsports in 2019, achieving four top-10s and one top-5 finish, with an average finish of 13.7. He then had a full-time Truck Series season in 2021 with Joe Gibbs Racing, sponsored by Menards, but struggled to secure wins, ending the season with three top-10s and two top-5s.
In 2022 and 2023, Ryan raced part-time for JGR in Xfinity, scoring one win, three top-10s, and three top-5s in six races, finishing the 2023 season with an average of 11.67. His consistent performance and growing skill level highlight his potential if given a full-time opportunity. Ryan believes that if he were racing full-time, he could make significant contributions to a team. He asserts, “My stock has risen recently, and it’s crucial for me to demonstrate my value by winning and proving my worth as a valuable team asset.”
Currently, Ryan remains a part-time driver, and the debate about whether financial support outweighs talent continues. Many in the NASCAR community hope he will secure a full-time ride soon. What are your thoughts on Ryan Truex’s situation? Do you believe he deserves a full-time position in NASCAR? Share your opinions in the comments.
“He’s Really Got Nothing” – Martin Truex Throws Harsh Reality in Brother’s Face Despite His Recent Success
