After questions were raised on whether Martin Truex Jr. would retire at the conclusion of the season, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver put those questions to bed on Saturday afternoon.
Truex revealed the news to the media following his fifth-place qualifying effort ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan Int’l Speedway.
“I’m coming back,” Truex said.
When asked why, he put it bluntly.
“Because I want to (laughter),” Truex followed up.
As the 2017 Cup Series champion went through the decision process, he believes it was the right thing to do.
“The more I thought about it, the more I was like – ‘Don’t be stupid, go race another year and see how it goes,'” Truex said.
Part of his decision came from a rejuvenating season for the 43-year-old, where he currently sits atop the standings with three victories.
While success on the track certainly helps, Truex feels the way he and the No. 19 JGR team are gelling is something he wants to continue for the foreseeable future.
“That is what takes so long to figure it out,” Truex admitted. “I’ve come to terms with all of that obviously, and I’m looking forward to continuing all of that. It is part of the job. It comes with the territory. You are not going to half-ass this job. I’m ready. I’m excited. We’ve got a great thing going.
“My team is amazing. They are doing great things. Love working with them, and happy to keep this going.”