Martin Truex Jr. has expressed a strong desire for one last race alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the two former teammates look towards the future. Truex, who is nearing the end of his full-time NASCAR career, has suggested that Earnhardt Jr. come back for one final battle in the Xfinity Series, despite Earnhardt’s focus shifting toward his off-track commitments, including his growing broadcasting career.
Truex Jr. and Earnhardt Jr. share a deep bond that extends back to their days at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., where they were teammates for four years. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and admiration, having battled each other on the track over the years. Their history together has left Truex hoping for one more opportunity to compete alongside Earnhardt before both drivers fully transition away from regular racing.
Martin Truex Jr. recently confirmed his decision to retire from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 season. After years of speculation, he made this announcement just before the Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, marking the beginning of the end for an illustrious career that includes a 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Coincidentally, that same year was also Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s last season as a full-time driver at NASCAR’s top level. Since then, Earnhardt Jr. has made a few part-time appearances, while his main focus has shifted to his broadcasting career and his responsibilities as the owner of JR Motorsports.
Despite Dale Jr.’s focus on broadcasting, Truex is still holding out hope that the two could share the track one last time in the Xfinity Series, a place where both drivers have found success. Both are two-time winners in the series, and Truex’s wish is to turn back the clock for one final battle during the 2025 season. However, with Earnhardt Jr. set to expand his broadcasting duties with Amazon Prime Video next year, it remains unclear if Truex’s dream will come true.
During a press conference held ahead of the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Truex spoke fondly of his relationship with Earnhardt Jr. He reflected on the influence that Earnhardt had on his early career, sharing how much he learned from him during their time as teammates. Truex expressed how special it was to celebrate victories together and relive the memories of their shared experiences. He even jokingly asked Earnhardt Jr. to consider coming back for one more season in the Xfinity Series so they could race together again.
The possibility of Truex and Earnhardt Jr. racing against each other once more isn’t completely out of the question. Earnhardt Jr., after finishing an impressive seventh at Bristol Motor Speedway during his last appearance, has not entirely ruled out making a return to the series in the future. When asked about the prospect of racing again in 2025, he left fans intrigued with a cryptic response, saying, “I just might,” leaving the door open for a potential comeback.
While the idea of Earnhardt Jr. returning to the track is exciting for fans, there are several factors that complicate the situation. JR Motorsports, the team that Earnhardt Jr. owns, is currently undergoing significant changes. Next season, the team will welcome Connor Zilisch as a full-time driver, and there are rumors that Carson Kvapil, a current Late Model driver, may also move up to the Xfinity Series. On top of that, current drivers Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones are expected to leave the team, which means that Earnhardt Jr. needs to prioritize the future of his organization before making any decisions about his own return to racing.
For now, Martin Truex Jr. remains focused on finishing his season strong. The veteran driver is currently facing a challenging situation as he heads into the final Round of 16 playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Despite a disappointing start to the postseason, including poor finishes at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International, Truex is still fighting to keep his championship hopes alive. He sits 14 points outside the cutoff line and may need a top-five finish at Bristol to advance in the playoffs and continue his pursuit of a second Cup Series title.
In a recent press conference, Truex acknowledged the pressure he is under but remained optimistic about the upcoming race. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand and preparing as much as possible for the race. Truex’s experience and determination will be key as he attempts to navigate the next 24 hours of critical decision-making leading up to the race at Bristol.
This season has been a tough one for Truex, who hasn’t secured a win yet and has struggled to find consistent form in recent weeks. His best result in the last few races was a 20th-place finish at Watkins Glen, a far cry from the level of performance he’ll need to advance through the playoffs. Nonetheless, Truex is still holding on to the hope that he can make it to the Championship 4 and compete for the title at Phoenix Raceway later this year. As Truex’s full-time career nears its end, fans will be watching closely to see if he can pull off one last great performance before stepping back from the sport he has excelled in for so many years.
Martin Truex Jr. Encourages Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Return for One Last Showdown Despite His Off-Track Obligations.
