Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

This season has been going well for Martin Truex Jr. even if he doesn’t have a win yet. So, what about a return in 2025? Well, that remains to be seen for the NASCAR champion.

Joe Gibbs Racing probably wants Martin Truex Jr. around as long as he will stay. He’s a threat to win the regular season every year and that makes him a playoff threat as well.

Ahead of the Goodyear 400 throwback race, Truex talked about another season. He’s asked this question all of the time now. After all, he almost called it quits after a lackluster 2022 season.

“Not sure I haven’t really talked to anyone about it all yet,” Truex told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I’ve just been kind of focused on the racing part and not really thinking about that. As every year it happens, it sneaks up on ya. So, I guess it will be time to start putting a little thought into it.”

This season Truex Jr. has four top-5 finishes and three top-10s. His worst finish this year was P18 at Martinsville. The only cause for concern that I have for the 19 team is having winning speed. Despite running up near the front, things have not clicked at the end of races.

In 2022 Truex had some good finishes but didn’t have winning speed. I don’t think that Truex is in the same position as he was in that winless season but it is something to think about.

Martin Truex Jr. looking for Darlington success

Martin Truex Jr. has won at Darlington in the past. He is hoping to add another win at The Lady in Black. Toyota is really strong on the intermediate tracks. They have been since the Next Gen car was introduced.

That is good news for Truex but also bad news. It means that he should have some speed, especially in the long run. But his teammates will also have speed. We have seen at times where Truex’s biggest competition on the track ends up being his teammate.

Darlington has already given a few cars a stripe down the side. Practice and qualifying were all about finding the edge and the limit of the track and car. After putting himself in position to contend for another regular season championship, a win would go a long way to help him keep pace with the other top drivers.

Martin Truex Jr. has had success in 2024, but not a win. He needs to pick one up soon or it could be time to think twice about the ceiling this team has this season.

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