The 2024 NASCAR Cup season marks the final chapter for Martin Truex Jr. as he takes the wheel of the #19 car. Earlier this year, Truex Jr. announced his retirement, reflecting on his career with pride. The 2017 Cup Series Champion expressed, “I would say I’ve achieved more than I ever thought I would. A championship and three runners-up in this (elimination) format, I feel like that’s really good. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
While one brother has enjoyed a successful NASCAR career spanning over 21 years, the other, Ryan Truex, is still on the hunt for a full-time opportunity. Despite sharing the same talent as his brother, Ryan faces challenges due to a lack of funding. Although he is a two-time ARCA series champion and has several wins in the Xfinity Series, he remains a part-time competitor. Recently, MTJ provided an update on Ryan’s uncertain future in the sport.
The intriguing journey of Ryan Truex
In the latest Xfinity race at Atlanta, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver secured a P10 finish. So far, the part-time racer has participated in nine events, achieving five top-10 finishes, two top-5 finishes, and two victories. His average finish stands at a respectable 14.33. However, the 32-year-old has only experienced one full-time season in the Xfinity Series, which was back in 2018 with Kaulig Racing, where he ended the season in 12th place. The primary hurdle for Ryan is the absence of sponsorship, a well-known challenge in the costly world of full-time NASCAR racing.
Before the Watkins Glen race, Martin Truex Jr. was approached during a press conference for an update on Ryan’s situation. With a hint of disappointment, MTJ shared, “At this point, he doesn’t have much to report. He’s putting in a lot of effort to sort things out. It really comes down to sponsorship and what he can offer. He’s diligently working on that while also keeping up with his sim work and all the behind-the-scenes tasks for his main job, trying to piece something together for Xfinity. He’s in talks with a few potential partners, but nothing is finalized yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds.”
Securing funding has been a significant challenge for Truex. In 2017, he completed a full season in the Truck Series with primary sponsorship from Toyota, and at times, he had Joe Gibbs’ backing. During the 2018 season, he juggled several sponsors, including “Bar Harbor Foods” and “Phantom Fireworks,” but they departed after that year. Currently, he finds himself without any sponsors, leaving him without a full-time ride. He recently discussed this situation on the Door Bumper Clear Podcast, stating, “It really comes down to money. It’s incredibly tough. When you’re starting from scratch and know there are others who can secure substantial funding and then market it for nine months, they’re likely to find most of it. When you have nothing and need to commit millions, it’s a real struggle to gather everything, present it to a team, and say, ‘Here’s what I’ve got.’ There aren’t sponsors willing to invest full-time money at any level.”
If Ryan Truex were to secure the funding, he undoubtedly possesses the skills to compete at the top level in the Xfinity Series, and his performance has consistently improved over the years. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of sponsorship, he lost his full-time position with Kaulig Racing after the 2018 season. In 2019, he participated in six races for JR Motorsports, achieving four top-10 finishes and one top-5, with an average finishing position of 13.7. In 2021, he landed another full-time opportunity in the Truck Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, backed by Menards, but the season didn’t unfold as he had anticipated.
During that year, he finished without a win, securing three top-10s and two top-5s, which ultimately led to the loss of that ride as well. In 2022, he returned to run a few races for JGR in the Xfinity Series and continued that trend into 2023. In six races with JGR, he achieved one victory, three top-10s, and three top-5s, concluding the season with an average finish of 11.67.
His career path thus far clearly showcases his talent. Ryan Truex is confident that he could make a significant impact for a team if given the chance for a full season. “My stock has definitely risen in the past year and a half. If I were racing full-time and finishing in the 15-20th range, I’d probably be done. I’m older now and haven’t won yet. At this stage in my career, it’s all about winning and demonstrating that I’m a valuable asset to a team and can contribute to its growth.”
Currently, he remains a part-time driver. There’s been much debate within the NASCAR community about whether money trumps talent. Here’s hoping he secures a full-time ride soon. What are your thoughts on Ryan Truex? Do you believe he deserves a full-time opportunity? Share your opinions in the comments below.
