DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. will remain at Joe Gibbs Racing for the foreseeable future after signing a contract extension with the powerhouse organization.
Details of the transaction were not released, but JGR said he would remain with the organization through “2022 and beyond.” The extension was made official following the first practice of the
season for Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“Extending Martin’s agreement has been a big priority for us this offseason,” said team owner Joe Gibbs. “Martin brings so much to our organization.
”Obviously, he’s talented and shown he can win at any race track, but his insights also helps to make all our teams better.”
Truex, a native of Mayetta, N.J. has established himself a championship contender over the past six years dating back to his tenure with the now-defunct Furniture Row Racing. He has made the Championship 4 on four occasions – winning the championship in 2017 with Furniture Row.
He moved to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2019 after the Denver, Col.-based team shuttered its doors following the season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in 2018.
Truex, a former Cup Series champion, has 27 career victories. Over the past six seasons, the Mayetta, N.J., has established himself as a perennial championship contender with four Championship 4 appearances during that time.
“I’m happy to get this news out there so we can focus on this season and the future with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Truex. “This is where I wanted to be and to continue building on the success we have had together the past two years.
”I appreciate Coach (Gibbs), my team, everyone at JGR and all of our partners like Bass Pro Shops, Auto-Owners Insurance, Reser’s Fine Foods, Stanley Black & Decker and Toyota for making this possible and I look forward to continuing those relationships as we move forward.”
Since joining JGR in 2019, Truex, 40, has driven the No. 19 Camry to eight victories, 29 top-five finishes and 47 top-10 finishes and has led more than 2,000 laps.
He was in a position to win Tuesday night’s exhibition Busch Clash at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course but crashed out while leading with six laps to go.
Truex will also make his 550 career NASCAR Cup Series start in the “Great American Race.”
His best finish came during the 2016 season where he finished second after starting 28th.
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