Martin Truex Jr. felt it was time to regain control over his own life and his own schedule.
“I’m obviously here to let y’all know that I won’t be back full-time next year,” Truex said Friday in a press conference with team owner Joe Gibbs, confirming the widely reported news that he will exit the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at season’s end.
“It’s been incredible. It’s been a hell of a ride. I’m excited about the future, and I’m not really sure what that looks like yet,” Truex added.
There are several issues, however, that are already settled. The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion will continue with JGR in what is vaguely defined as an “ambassadorial capacity.” He likely will compete in an occasional NASCAR Xfinity Series race for the organization.
And Truex will fulfill a stated purpose of reclaiming his time as his own.
“It’s the right time for me. I’ve thought about it a lot for the last few seasons — just waited for that feeling in my mind to be positive, like ‘This is OK, I’m good, and I want to do something else,’” Truex said.
“In the 21 years that I’ve done this, I’ve never missed a race. I’ve never missed a practice. I’ve never been late for anything. I’ve never missed an appearance. You live your life by a schedule that somebody makes for you, and it’s just time for me to make my own schedule.
“That’s really what it boils down to. I want to go do the things I want to do, and I don’t want anyone to tell me when I can and when I can’t do those things. I still love racing. I’m still going to race some — I don’t know what, when, how, why — but I feel very fortunate to be in this position to make this decision.”
Gibbs said he had a sense of what Truex’s decision would be. Truex will turn 44 on June 29. That makes him the elder statesman of JGR by less than five months over teammate Denny Hamlin, a three-time winner so far this season.
“I did everything I could to keep it going,” Gibbs said of his efforts to retain Truex for another season. “I think we’ve got two 43-year-olds that are at the top of their game.”
Now in his 19th season of full-time Cup racing, Truex has accumulated 34 victories, 23 poles, 146 top fives and 287 top 10s in 673 starts in NASCAR’s top series. He also won consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series titles in 2004 and 2005 with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Chance 2 Motorsports.
Truex’s high-water mark in the Cup Series came in 2017. Driving for Furniture Row Racing and paired with crew chief Cole Pearn, he scored career bests in victories (eight) and top 10s (26) en route to the series championship, which he claimed with a win in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
INDYCAR and FOX Sports have announced the new exclusive home of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the iconic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge beginning in 2025. The new media rights deal provides a massive and unprecedented increase in exposure for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, with every 2025 race airing on FOX and available on the FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes will carry exclusive Spanish-language television coverage with a schedule to be announced at a later date.
FOX will also provide coverage of Indy 500 qualifications on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing the total number of broadcast network windows to 19, a new record for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDYCAR will become the only premier motorsport in the United States with exclusive major broadcast network coverage for all of its races.
“This represents unrivaled exposure and provides an unparalleled growth opportunity for the most competitive and entertaining motorsport on the planet,” said INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles. “FOX Sports is a fully committed partner, ready to bring engaging and technically innovative coverage to millions of fans across the country while also promoting INDYCAR thoroughly across all its platforms.”
“Adding the iconic Indianapolis 500 and delivering the entire NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the FOX Sports roster fits perfectly within our model of teaming with sports’ largest events and best-in-class brands,” said FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks. “We’re honored to be the new broadcast home to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” an incredibly special event to everyone at FOX Sports.”
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 2 and concludes with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, August 31. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes place on Sunday, May 25. The full schedule was released today and can be viewed here.
Indy 500 Race Day coverage will be extensive for fans across the country, with a five-hour window on FOX set aside for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The Indy 500 is annually the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event, attracting a crowd of more than 300,000 people to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The immersive collaboration will see all practice and qualifying sessions for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES telecast on cable on FS1 and FS2. The majority of INDY NXT by Firestone races will also air on FS1, with FS2 providing supplemental coverage of additional races.
This news comes on the heels of continued growth and momentum for INDYCAR, which has seen rising attendance across its schedule, significant growth in commercial partnerships and record metrics across its digital platforms.
Additional announcements, including on-air talent, will be announced at a later date.
In my opinion the success of this venture will have a lot to do with who is in the broadcast booth.
According to Sports Business Journal the France family would be able to buy NASCAR charters starting in 2025 under terms of the latest charter offer to teams, despite initial questions over whether the provision would ultimately be included.
The family has owned and controlled NASCAR Holdings since the inception of the racing series in 1948 by Bill France Sr. The current version of the charter agreement, which was implemented in 2015 and expires after 2024, bars any member of the France family who has an active role in NASCAR event management from owning a stake in a charter.
NASCAR’s offer this time is for seven years guaranteed with an option for another seven years after that, sources say.
NASCAR has also included plans for a team cost cap in the latest charter offer, as well as rules that spell out the terms under which NASCAR would allow private equity firms to buy into a charter, the sources said.
Teams have said they were sticking together in their negotiations over the last year, but it couldn’t be ruled out whether some of the 15 chartered teams are preparing to sign NASCAR’s offer. It was unclear when NASCAR wants to have the process completed.
As the countdown to the 36th Annual Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac® Pet Products at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio, continues, the hype and the excitement also continues, once again promising to be one of the most sought-after prizes on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series campaign trail. As an added bonus, the nation’s finest open wheelers will battle for not only a $15,000 top prize, but the coveted Brad Doty Classic championship trophy and helmet.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, North America's premier open-wheel racing championship, and Road America, one of the most iconic racing venues on the continent, are thrilled to announce a multi-year partnership extension. This enduring alliance promises to deliver exhilarating racing action at the historic Wisconsin circuit for years to come.
"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with INDYCAR," exclaimed Mike Kertscher, President and General Manager of Road America. "This collaboration not only ignites the fervor of our passionate racing fans but also plays a crucial role in boosting our local economy and nurturing the motorsport culture that thrives here."
The partnership between Road America and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has consistently delivered some of the most electrifying and competitive racing on the INDYCAR calendar. Road America's renowned four-mile, 14-turn track has become a beloved venue for drivers and fans alike, celebrated for its high speeds, dramatic elevation changes, and breathtaking scenery.
"Road America is a magnificent facility and great partner to INDYCAR,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “With its rich history, iconic layout, and packed grandstands and campgrounds, it remains a favorite for our drivers and teams. We look forward to having this key event on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar for years to come.”
The multi-year agreement ensures that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will remain a marquee event at Road America, with the series set to host its annual race at the circuit for years to come. Fans can anticipate witnessing some of the most talented drivers in the world compete in various classes, showcasing their prowess and providing unforgettable moments.
As part of this renewed partnership, both Road America and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are dedicated to enhancing the event experience for attendees. This includes upgraded fan zones, more interactive displays, and expanded access to drivers and teams.
"Fans can look forward to an even more immersive and engaging experience at Road America," added Kertscher. "With exciting new features and exclusive access, we're committed to making every visit unforgettable."
Tickets for the upcoming INDYCAR event at Road America are now available. Special early bird pricing is available for fans eager to experience the high-octane action in 2025 up close
The Brad Doty Classic championship trophy, a key element in the victory lane celebration, is as special as it is historic, featuring every prior winner of the Buckeye State blockbuster including the inaugural champion, “The King” Steve Kinser.
Adding to the hype and excitement is northwest Ohio’s own Gill Construction, returning to the Brad Doty Classic in 2024 as the title sponsor of the evening’s heat races. Owned and operated by Ray Brooks, and headquartered in nearby Port Clinton, Gill Construction specializes in an array of land and water services, utilizing over five decades of experience to build an extensive repertoire which includes site excavation, site utilities, demolition, trenching, and marina service.
“Ray Brooks is not only a great friend, he’s a dedicated race fan, and we’re not only privileged, but honored to have him and Gill Construction once again associated with the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic at Attica Raceway Park,” said Brad Doty, event co-promoter. “Ray works extremely hard to grow his businesses, and he’s since transferred that dedication and hard work into racing. He’s done it all, from sponsoring local teams to owning his own operation, the most recent being the familiar No. 18 driven by Cole Macedo in 2021 and 2022. A lot of times his support is behind the scenes preferring no recognition, and that just goes to show what kind of guy he is.”
Gill Construction boasts a dynamic, diverse, and experienced workforce, guaranteed to perform and complete any task with the utmost customer satisfaction. More information is available online at https://kgcpc.com/.
Contested at the home of “Ohio’s Finest Racing,” and once again sanctioned by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the 36th Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac® Pet Products will stir up Attica Raceway Park headlines on Tuesday, July 16. In routine fashion, the event will feature a full World of Outlaws program including qualifying time trials, Gill Construction Heat Races, Toyota Dash presented by Racing Optics, Callies Performance Products C-Main, Last Chance Showdown, and of course, a 40-lap main event awarding $15,000-to-win.
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today team co-owner Kevin Harvick will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 62 Chevrolet at Five Flags Speedway on June 28, 2024, and North Wilkesboro Speedway on August 3, 2024.
To kick off his return to Late Model competition, Harvick will rejoin former partner Busch Light for the Super Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway. With a relationship spanning more than a decade, Busch Light, Anheuser-Busch and Harvick are no stranger to each other, amassing multiple wins and the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
“I’m excited to get back in the No. 62 for some short-track racing,” said Harvick. “We have great partners with Busch Light, carrying the iconic blue and white colors along with the mountain landscape across the car, as well as Hunt Brothers Pizza. Both have been a big part of my career and to continue those relationships beyond my NASCAR career is special.”
In addition to racing at Five Flags Speedway, Harvick has also added the August 3 CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway to his schedule. Originally slated for May 15, the CARS Tour was forced to reschedule the May event after rain wreaked havoc on the North Wilkesboro Speedway race weekend. Hunt Brothers Pizza, another long-time partner of Harvick’s, will join the No. 62 team for the rescheduled event.
The ASA Deep South Cranes Blizzard Race No. 3 on June 28 can be watched live on RacingAmerica.tv and the rescheduled CARS Tour race on August 3 can be viewed on FloRacing.com.
Fans can purchase merchandise of Harvick’s return to competition at HappysEshop.com.
The introduction of a waiver policy in 2014 was well-intentioned. However, the version the sport is operating under a decade later has flaws that need fixing.
NASCAR put the system in place when the playoff format was implemented. It was labeled a medical waiver or exception – a policy to keep drivers from racing while hurt because they needed the points. The language in the rule book stated that a driver must attempt to qualify for each race.
It didn’t take long for the “except in rare instances” (EIRI) clause to kick in, and NASCAR backed into a broad wall. NASCAR has since granted waivers for injuries, illness, mental health, suspensions, age, or returning the sport after over a year away to drive for a team that needed a driver.
Matt Kenseth was the latter. Kenseth had not driven a Cup Series car since 2018 when Chip Ganassi hired him in the spring of 2020 to drive the No. 42 car after Kyle Larson’s suspension.
Age waivers have been in the Craftsman Truck Series for drivers who missed the start of the season because they weren’t old enough to compete full-time. Josh Williams and Chase Elliott are the most recent drivers who have been given waivers for suspensions.
In 2014, Tony Stewart missed three races after the death of Kevin Ward Jr. in a sprint car race. It was the choice of Stewart – who was dealing with the grief from the incident – to not compete in three Cup Series races.
The injury waivers have been for drivers affected in NASCAR-sanctioned races and those outside of stock car racing. COVID-19 was considered an illness.
So they finally granted the waiver for Larson. Circumstances were out of his control. Now move on.
One can only hope this is because NASCAR understands the waiver system needs improvement. It’s not hyperbole to say there is a common refrain around the industry: NASCAR has never met a waiver it didn’t like. Even when it should.
Certainly, there is a need for a policy to keep an injured driver from trying to get behind the wheel or hiding the fact that they aren’t in 100% health. If the language in the rule book is going to remain as it is about a driver needing to start every race, then reverting the policy to be solely for medical exceptions makes sense.
An injured or ill driver should remain playoff-eligible if they cannot compete. No one should want them trying to do so when they are clearly hindered.
All conversations stop there, though. If it’s not medical, it’s not a waiver conversation. There is no need for the system under its current evolution.
More often than not, waivers granted by NASCAR over the years weren’t even needed because the driver would be in the playoffs from performance. In this case, Larson is perfectly capable of making the playoffs without a waiver by sitting inside the top five in points after missing one race.
Simplicity is the answer. A championship-eligible driver should be one who competes full-time in a series. They will qualify for the postseason by winning a race or being in the top 16 in points.
No full-time teams or drivers are willingly skipping races. The loss of points, performance, violating contracts, and so on make that an illogical thought. Therefore, why need a waiver system unless for medical exceptions?
Over the years, too many questionable waivers have been granted to continue with the status quo. The suspensions are the best examples.
NASCAR suspends a driver because their actions are severe enough to warrant a penalty, but then grants the driver a waiver to remain playoff eligible. By the letter of the law, a driver “must start” all the races but not the one NASCAR doesn’t want you to because you’re in trouble. Don’t worry, though, you’re still allowed to compete for the championship.
It’s easy to see why there is debate, confusion, and frustration whenever a waiver request is made. The system needs to be more well-defined, and by going back to just a medical waiver, it would be. No more handouts – if a driver wants to compete for a championship, the performance should be what puts them there, whether they miss a race or not.
Welcome to your wake-up call, NASCAR. The path forward with limited damage is to grant Larson the waiver and then explain how things will be different going forward, because the time has come for needed rulebook revising.
The organizers of Formula One’s Las Vegas Grand Prix are confident the second year of the race in 2024 will avoid the level of disruption that sparked local backlash for its inaugural running. It happens in November again this year.
Last November, F1 returned to Las Vegas with a street race that incorporated the Strip, producing one of the most-hyped grands prix in the sport’s history. Liberty Media, F1’s owner, invested over $650 million to make it happen, symbolizing the series’ growth in the United States.
After the first practice on Thursday night was canceled after eight minutes due to a loose water valve cover, the event recovered to be regarded as one of the highlights of the season. Max Verstappen scored a dramatic victory with two late overtakes. Despite the 1 a.m. ET start time was one of the most-watched races of the year among American viewers.
However, the event faced some backlash from locals who were unhappy with the disruption in the race’s lead-up while the circuit was being constructed.
One of the biggest complaints focused on the repaving work conducted on Las Vegas Boulevard (colloquially known as “the Strip”) to prepare the track for the race. This work led to daily disturbances for workers in the area and increased journey times due to road closures.
Speaking in a media roundtable over this month’s Monaco Grand Prix weekend, the founding partners of the Las Vegas Grand Prix expressed their confidence that many of the criticisms from locals would be resolved for the second year.
“We will not be going through the same level of disruption we went through last year in terms of the track build,” said Brian Yost, the chief operating officer for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
“The track has been paved. It’s now in good shape, with all of the water valve caps secured. So we’ve eliminated that hurdle. We knew there would be a level of disruption. That level will be reduced this year.”
“The community was nervous because it’s never been done before,” added Emily Prazer, the chief commercial officer for F1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix. “I don’t think anybody has been as aggressive as this collective group to shut down Las Vegas Boulevard for the duration. So, I understand why they had concerns.
“But my take on it is that we’ve kind of proven the logistics side of it. Now we need to shorten the time which it takes us to build things, which we’re working on again with the support of everyone here.”
Brian Gullbrants, the president of Wynn Resorts, said building the track layout to include Las Vegas Boulevard was “a monumental task” that was “unbelievable” to pull off so quickly.
“But I think that’s where the stress, the angst came from, in the local community,” said Gullbrants. “That doesn’t have to be done every year, so I think now, in these subsequent years, we’ll have a much smoother ramp-up to the race. I think things (will) dissipate at this point.”
One area the founding partners said would be worked on for the second year was an improved community and communications plan to better inform locals in Las Vegas about any potential disruption in the lead-up to the race.
“We’re working collectively on a much stronger community and comms plan that we’ll launch at the end of June,” said Prazer. “I’m not going to suggest it’s ever going to be perfect because, obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But we’re going to try a lot harder to make sure we pacify some of those nerves.”
Last year’s start time of 10 p.m. PT (1 a.m. ET) was the latest lights out in F1 history, and the session timings through the weekend sparked some criticism from drivers and teams, particularly ahead of a long journey to Abu Dhabi for the next race the following week.
In February, the Las Vegas Grand Prix announced it had brought forward its practice and qualifying times by two hours but opted to retain the 10 p.m. race start time on Saturday night.
“It’s Las Vegas!” said Steve Zanella, the chief commercial officer of MGM Resorts. “There’s been changes to the first two nights, but the race will still go off at the same time.
“The electricity and the excitement, you guys all experienced that, it was like a heavyweight fight. It was like any other major sporting event in Las Vegas on the night of the race.
“There was a lot of excitement, and it will bring a lot of people back.”
"TEXAS LEGEND: Jim Hall and his Chaparrals," by George Levy, with Jim Hall, will be available to the public in the U.S. in July. An early launch of the book will take place on June 29 in Midland, Texas, at the annual Chaparral "Party on the Patio."
Hall tells his story — his life, his cars, his relationship with Chevrolet, his partnership with Hap Sharp, his battles with sanctioning body bureaucracies — for the first time to award-winning author George Levy in this authorized biography.
The long-awaited biography of one of America's most popular innovators and race-car drivers is a collaboration between Levy and Hall. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, into which Hall was inducted in 1994.
“When George Levy inquired about the possibility of writing my biography,” says Hall, “I had no idea of the time and effort that he would be willing to expend to accomplish it. I’m amazed at how many people he has interviewed, and how hard he has researched to obtain documentation and photographs to verify the accuracy of what he has written. I admire George, and thank him for his fortitude and sincere determination to get it right.”
“There have been several good books on Chaparral before,” says author Levy, "but so much of Jim’s and Chaparral’s story remained untold or has been misreported that Jim and I both wanted to set the record straight for posterity. Beyond the countless hours Jim and I spent, I interviewed over 100 others and amassed photos, illustrations and documents the vast majority of which have never been seen before."
Those "other voices" include Sir Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney, Roger Penske, Jacky Ickx, John Barnard, Gordon Murray, Adrian Newey, Brian Redman, Don Garlits, Dick Smothers, Bernie Ecclestone and Al and Bobby Unser.
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum will host the June 29 launch in legendary Midland, where the Chaparrals were built, and where they were tested at Hall's iconic Rattlesnake Raceway. A limited number of books signed by Hall will be made available by the museum. More information on attending the launch may be found at https://petroleummuseum.org/pop-24/.
About the Author:
After a distinguished career as a motorsports author, speaker and historian, George Levy is now President of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, based at Daytona Beach, Florida, which honored Jim Hall as an inductee in 1994. He began his journalism career in 1980 at Autoweek, where he rose to editor at 27. He has also contributed to RACER, Car and Driver and Vintage Motorsport. Latterly he has turned to writing books and is best known for Can-Am 50th Anniversary: Flat Out with North America’s Greatest Race Series (2016), which earned a Gold Medal in the 2017 International Automotive Media Competition, and F1 Mavericks: The Men and Machines that Revolutionized Formula 1 Racing (2019). He lives in Ormond Beach, Florida.
