In a surprising turn of events, NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. has revealed his plans to retire from Cup racing after the 2024 season. The announcement, reported by The Athletic and confirmed by sources at FOX Sports, has sent shockwaves through the racing community.

Truex, who turns 44 later this month, has had an illustrious career in the Cup series, including an impressive 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Championship win and a current total of 34 Cup victories. However, despite his success, Truex has decided to hang up his helmet and move on to the next chapter of his life.

The decision was expected to be officially announced by Truex himself during his scheduled media availability at Iowa Speedway on Friday. Joe Gibbs Racing, the team he currently races for, has not yet commented on the news.

Since making his full-time Cup debut in 2006, Truex has steadily climbed the ranks, with 32 of his wins coming since 2015. Although he has yet to secure a win in the 2024 season, Truex currently holds the fifth position in the overall Cup standings. His impressive career record is expected to secure him a spot in the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Notably, Truex has been signing one-year deals in recent years, admitting that he struggled with the decision to continue racing each year. However, Joe Gibbs Racing was looking for a prompt response this time, as they have several drivers without contracts for the 2025 season and did not want to lose out on potential opportunities while waiting for Truex's decision.

With Truex's impending retirement, attention has turned to his potential replacement at Joe Gibbs Racing. Chase Briscoe, who currently races for Stewart-Haas Racing, has emerged as the top candidate. Briscoe became available after SHR's recent announcement that it would shut down at the end of the season. With one career win in 124 Cup starts and his solid performance in the Xfinity Series in 2020, Briscoe possesses the skills to fill Truex's shoes.

Truex's racing journey has been a storied one. Starting with back-to-back Xfinity Series titles in 2004 and 2005, he moved on to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which later merged with Chip Ganassi Racing. Following a setback in 2013 when race manipulation scandal cost him sponsorship at Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex found success with Furniture Row Racing, winning a Cup title for the team in 2017. Since 2018, Truex has been driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Throughout his career, Truex has accumulated an impressive 146 top-5 finishes in 673 Cup starts, cementing his status as one of the sport's most accomplished drivers.

As Martin Truex Jr. prepares to retire from Cup racing after the 2024 season, the racing world eagerly awaits his official announcement and watches to see who will step into his prestigious role at Joe Gibbs Racing.