The 2023 NASCAR Silly Season has been more about retirements then drivers getting behind the wheel.

Even before the season began, Kevin Harvick announced that the 2023 season would be his last as a full time driver in NASCAR.  In fact, he has already signed on to join Clint Bowyer and Mike Joy in the broadcast booth for FOX Sports.

There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether Stewart-Haas Racing driver Aric Almirola would actually retire at the end of the season after un-retiring last year to come back to drive the number 10 car.

There has also been a great deal of speculation in regards to some of the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers.  It’s a pretty safe bet that grandson Ty isn’t going anywhere for quite some time to come; but what about Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, and even Christopher Bell???

Well, Martin Truex Jr has answered the question of whether or not he would retire at the end of the season with the announcement that he will indeed return next season to drive the number 19 JGR car after signing a one year extension.

Speaking on his decision Truex said, “it felt like the right thing to do was to keep going.  The more I thought about it, the more I was like — ‘don’t be stupid, go race another year and see how it goes.’”  Speaking on boss Joe Gibbs, Truex added, he’s thrilled. He’s a great guy to work for.”

Noting that he has been undecided for quite some time and it was not an easy decision, Truex said, “I think it’s more so for the team, Coach and all of our partners, so we can just put that out of the way and go back and button up next year’s plans. It’s pretty late in the season to be putting them in a spot where you keep them hanging. I think I did that as long as possible — not on purpose, but it is just how it worked out.”

Now 43, Truex acknowledges that the commitments on and off the track are high saying, “that is what takes so long to figure it out.  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.”

With three race wins this season, Truex currently sits atop the leaderboard in the Cup Series point standings and has secured himself a spot in the 16 car playoff field.       Feature photo credit: Martin Truex Jr. at Phoenix International Raceway during the 2017 Camping World 500