Longtime NASCAR competitor Martin Truex Jr. has had an incredible run on the track. However, Truex's career is set to come full circle with a new development surrounding his retirement.

Truex, the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion, is expected to announce his retirement during the weekend of June 14th, the Athletic's Jordan Bianchi reports. He is expected to make the decision public at a news conference Friday afternoon at Iowa Speedway, which is the site of the 2024 Cup Series race.

At 43 years old, Martin Truex Jr. is the oldest active full-time Cup driver. His plans are unsurprising, as he has reportedly seriously mulled retirement for several years. Nevertheless, the 19-year Cup Series veteran touts a resume that should earn him a first-ballot induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame once he is eligible, per insight from Bianchi.

Truex finished as a Cup Series runner-up three times and advanced to the championship playoff final five times. He has 34 career wins which include multiple triumphs in crown jewel races. Truex won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte twice and amassed one Southern 500 at Darlington victory. In addition, he is a two-time champion in the Xfinity Series (2004-05), which is NASCAR's second-tier division.

Truex provided insight on his potential Hall of Fame induction in February 2024 as he approached the decision to retire.

“[The thought of being in Hall] is really special to me, but I try not to get too caught up in it,” Truex revealed. “I'm still writing my history. I'd still like to add more things to it to hopefully get in there on the first try.”

Regardless of what happens at Iowa Speedway for his next Cup competition, Truex's accomplishments are impressive. His career will be reflected as one of the all-time greats. Moreover, the next generation of NASCAR drivers is already taking after him.

Michael Truex Jr. leaves NASCAR in a bright place

2024 has had no shortage of excitement on the track. 23XI driver Tyler Reddick won his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2024 season on April 21st after an eventful race in Talladega. Reddick won when the previous race leader, Michael McDowell, crashed after blocking Brad Keselowski as they came to the checked flag.

The collision triggered a multi-car incident which Reddick happened to be on the fortunate end of. Reddick's victory was the sixth of his career. Moreover, he became the eighth consecutive different winner at Talladega.

Several other drivers have been lighting the track up with blazing speed. NASCAR's progression of performances and outreach landed the organization a massive $7.7 billion deal with top partners including Amazon Prime Video, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and TNT Sports (part of Warner Bros. Discovery), Jordan Bianchi reported in November of 2023.

NASCAR President Steve Phelps released a statement on what the deal means for the association:

“Our goal was to secure long-term stability with an optimized mix of distribution platforms and innovative partners that would allow us to grow while delivering our product to fans wherever they are… and we've achieved that today,” Phelps said.

The future of NASCAR is bright. Martin Truex Jr.'s impending retirement is not the end of an era. Rather, it marks the start of exciting new times.