The darkest period in the career of Martin Truex Jr. might soon see some light.
Fox Sports is reporting that Truex has agreed to terms with Furniture Row Racing to begin driving the No. 78 Chevrolet next season. Nothing has been made official but an announcement is expected to take place next week, nearly two months after everything was seemingly torn right out from under him.
Truex might have lived a long prosperous career with Michael Waltrip Racing, whom he signed with after leaving what had become Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. He found a home, worked into a new comfort, finally had his own number while inheriting one of the sport’s most noticeable sponsors.
Over time, and it took time with MWR, Truex became a consistent contender and winner. Not as many as he’d like or what appeared capable, but a winner and soon Chase caliber. Before he ended up with the staring role in one of the most bizarre Chase stories in NASCAR history.
The now well-known, analyzed, criticized race manipulation by MWR to get Truex in the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup, backfired in harshest way. For Truex, at least, whose hands were the only ones clean. Nothing but guilt by association got him dragged through the mud, booted from the Chase, before eventually losing his sponsor and then ride at MWR.
His new ride at FRF is a classic case that good things do happen to good people. Truex has remained calm and classy during the ordeal, continuing to race his heart out with his head held high. Now, he’s bouncing back and with a team that will take good care of him.
It’s a sad case, what happened with MWR. Whether it was plotted or split second, the fact remains they made a decision. Those involved will live with it as they move forward with a reorganized stable in 2014, which now doesn’t include Truex, a driver who was becoming quite a force in the series. For their part, it’s easy to understand that NAPA wanted to protect their brand and needed to make a tough decision.
The ripple from it all, however, affected the livelihood of a driver who’s been fighting for everything he’s had since his first day in the sport. But now, he’s going to land on his feet and start all over, with the support of many who have come out since Richmond with well wishes and hopes for the best.
From Regan Smith and Kurt Busch, the 78 team has shed the also-ran tag to become weekly NSCS contenders. The car is a good car, the team is a decent team and the organization is becoming one that isn’t passed over.
Truex will continue to elevate the team who made their first career Chase this year. In return, the team will put all their focus and resources on Truex, ironically, because there will be no teammates to split that attention. And who knows, with how low profile both the driver and the team are, this could turn into a long-lasting relationship that yields great things.
In a way, things couldn’t have worked out better after how it all started. A fresh start has done many drivers some good. So Truex gets (another) fresh start in the most unlikely of places and for his sake, here’s to a couple quiet and successful seasons without having to look back.
I love it when low information NA$CAR fans (if you can call them fans) have to spew their venom at Hendricks Motorsports when they have no idea what they are talking about.
Sure, tell Martin about healing. They could heal if they fired Bowyer.
I hope that Martin does well and makes the chase and kicks butt. That said, It is time to quit picking at the MWR scab and let healing begin. It is over and done with.Yes it was bad but they got caught and the other teams have not.The whole 48 and 24 teams are just as guilty and probably others.Just let it go and give them a chance. No other team will be as watched as MWR and they know that.Walnutz forever
Good for Martin! Furniture row is a clean start and he might be a Champion next year. Good job Barney.
I’m sure that Martin can’t thank Bowyer enough for screwing up his career with his cheating.