June 8th, 2009 
T.C. There has been much speculation over the last several weeks regarding where Martin Truex Jr. will race in 2010 and beyond. This speculation has been fueled mostly by Truex’s own comments on a possible move, which started at the Talladega race in April. The turmoil surrounding the DEI/CGR merger, and the lack of performance from the EGR teams this season appears to be a big motivator. Since 2008, Truex has been rumored to be leaving DEI/EGR for Dale Jr.’s Cup team (that never materialized), Stewart-Haas Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing, and most recently Michael Waltrip Racing.
Mike Mulhern was the first to break the news about Truex’s possible defection to MWR, and his story pondered whether the deal was actually already done. Since Mulhern’s article first appeared we’ve heard that the deal isn’t necessarily done but that NAPA is very interested in securing Truex. But there has yet to be an announcement from either side about the future and after talking about it initially, Truex has now become reluctant in answering any media questions regarding MWR and 2010.
Stepping back now from the rumors and speculation, I’m curious about what team would be the best fit for Truex moving forward. I’ve got to believe that a possible move from EGR to MWR would only be driven by a more lucrative contract. I say that because neither team appears to be better then the other in terms of performance and potential. Truex and his teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, currently sit 19th and 15th in the points, while MWR cars are 11th, 18th, and 32nd respectively. The lone bright spot for MWR and a possible selling point for Truex has been David Reutimann and his Coke 600 win. But the win in a rain shortened 600 on a Monday had more to do with lucky strategy than it did with actual team performance. So jumping from the #1 team at EGR to the #55 team at MWR appears to be a lateral move at best.
The other wildcard in this situation is Truex’s long time sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. There was much talk earlier this season after EGR shut down the #8 team that Bass Pro had an out in its contract if either Truex didn’t have two team cars, or his performance wasn’t up to par. This appears now to be false, and according to press releases from 2007 and EGR’s Steve Lauletta, Bass Pro is signed through 2010. This would certainly rule out the possibility of Bass Pro Shops following Truex to MWR, SHR, or any other team.
Only time will tell where Truex ends up for the 2010 season and beyond, but I’m of the opinion that Truex will indeed jump ship. I feel like he’s had one foot out the door since the walls started crumbling at DEI, and I’m surprised he’s waited until now to possibly make a move. Usually, drivers who aren’t interested in a move to another team don’t become the topic of so many rumors. And if he wasn’t interested in moving, it’s very easy to put down the rumors and speculation and just say “I like where I am, I’m staying.”
On top of that, his performances this season have been less than inspired, and chances of a big contract brought to you by NAPA or possibly a better ride elsewhere may be enough to lure him away.
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Okay, I have no insight into this matter, but I’m guessing that Mike Waltrip would like to see this scenario:
1) Truex comes over to the #55 with Bass Pro splitting the primary sponsorship with NAPA for 2010.
2) Waltrip would then re-start his dormant 3rd team and run NAPA for 12 to 15 races. This would keep Waltrip in the driver role, as well as utilizing his more capable skills as a spokesperson.
The problems are:
1) Bass Pro has to be willing to take the primary sponsorship on the races that NAPA agrees for them to have.
2) I doubt that Waltrip is ready to retire from driving.
3) Is Truex really worth a top, free agent’s salary?
4) Performance-wise, this would be a lateral move for Truex.
I think the best fit for Truex would be Stewart/Haas. If they keep performing like they are, they will definitely be ready for a third team next year.
That said I don’t necessarily think Truex going to MWR is a lateral move. Although the three teams aren’t spectacular, they have really improved & I think the #55′s poor performance is driver related not equipment related. MWR is an organization on the rise while EGR is an organization going downhill quickly & I don’t see any improvement for them next year. With Mikey gone as a driver, two of the MWR teams may be chase contenders next year. Reut’s in 11th right now & Marcos, one spot ahead of Truex in points, has had a decent season in what is essentially his rookie year. I bet he’ll get a road course win this year to boot.
If Truex was in Marcos’ equipment, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the top 12. Truex going to MWR right now may be lateral movement but it is a case of jumping laterally off a sinking ship into the basket of a rescue helicopter.
Doesn’t Truex’s brother work at MWR and if he does in what capacity? I would like to see him at SHR, but that’s just my opinion. If I’m comparing the 2 teams I see one that is clearly on the upswing and another that is winning and contending for wins each race…..I’m going with SHR!
Performances may be similar, but MWR is a team on the rise while DEI appears to be going in the other direction. Look at the numbers from last year, or the year before, or the year before. You’ll see that every year MWR has gotten better while DEI has not.
I’m sure he sees not only Reutimann’s success, but Ambrose’s as well. Even Mikey, who has struggled to even make races for the first couple of years, is now regularly getting top-20s and even top-15s. I’m sure he believes in that equipment he could get top-5s and top-10s and maybe some wins.
Just my opinion.
[...] The NASCAR Insiders: Is MWR The Best Place For Truex? The biggest early silly season rumor that’s been floating for months, it seems like, is Martin Truex, Jr. going to Michael Waltrip Racing, possibly to replace Michael himself in the 55 car. NASCAR Insiders evaluates the move from a strategic perspective and considers it more of a “lateral” move. And in the interim, I can’t say I disagree. However, EGR is really a team that feels like it’s treading water, the increasing improvement of Juan Pablo Montoya being the lone bright spot of late. Whereas MWR feels like a team that will be getting better in the next few years (look at the progress they’ve already had this season). Not to mention the TRD support that MWR gets will keep making those Toyotas a lot better. [...]
Simple related question here. How many of you consider Truex and “Tier 1″?
IMHO a Tier 1 driver “should” consistenly make the Chase, have a legitimate shot at the CUP and can win a min 1-3 races a year and I dare say w/ relative ease. Basically a top 10 runner in hypothetical “equal” equipment and zero pts for popularity.
Neon,
I don’t think he is a tier 1 driver right now but he would definitely be a valuable addition to an organization. For example, I think he would be a great fit for RCR’s 07, Penske’s 12, SHR’s third team Rousch’s 26, etc.
I think he is tier 1 material. He’s not at the back of the pack now and he’s not in HMS, JGR or Rousch equipment.
Don’t know what to think of Truex. It seems he is good at certain tracks, but unable to adapt to other ones. I know I do not take him in Fantasy leagues because of his inconsistant performances. Possibly it’s a crew chief deal. Bet NAPA would love to have him, & let Mikey retire as promised.
I don’t think Stewart-Haas will be attempting to expand with a 3rd team until GM gets out of Chapter 11. It is more likely that S-H will go after Bass Pro’s sponsorship to fill out the 39′s schedule in 2010. The Army sponsorship is year-to-year and doesn’t cover the whole, 36-race season.
Truex is a talented driver, certainly chase-capable, but I wonder if the turmoil at DEI & EGR over the past few years hasn’t taken its toll on his confidence.
EGR says that Bass Pro is “signed through 2010″, but they also said the same thing about Montoya’s ex-sponsor, Wrigley. And where are they now?
Meanwhile, EGR appears to be in a heap of trouble.
I can see Martin at MWR
His younger brother Ryan drives the 00 NAPA car for MWR in the Camping World East series, and just won Saturdays race at Watkins Glen…
At this point the big question seems to be “Is Truex the guy Michael needs to help his team?”. Maybe a third car at Penske would be the best slot.
Martin needs to look at every possible team because MWR is EGR with differnet sticker of chevy or toyota. RCR would be a good fit him maybe SHR but You got Brad from JR motorsports in that ride Roush has to lose a team this year and the 07 isn’t up to par as it was last year. That is driver based fall back. But money talks and his little brother is there already so watch for the #55 in the top 15 next year.
I didn’t think that Martin would go to MWR until I saw that his brother is there. Ryan Truex used to drive a EGR car that I think Martin co-owned. Now that Ryan is racing for Micheal, I’m almost positive that’s where he’s going. (It probably doesn’t mean anything that Ryan is racing there considering he’s the younger brother, but it kind of makes you think.) I’d much rather see him at Stewart-Haas and I think that Bass Pro would follow him there.
Before I didn’t want Martin to leave because I was afraid that he would loose Bass Pro and Bono. But now I’m to the point where I can’t wait for him to leave so he can start performing better.
And this might be the superfan in me but I personally think that Martin is a tier 1 driver if he could just get the right equipment. He did make the chase in 2007 along with getting his first win but had bad luck the rest of the year and couldn’t bounce back from it. But that seems to be the story of his life lately.
Honestly I really don’t think Martin Truex Jr. is worth the money he thinks he is worth and if EGR is the only place that going to pay him, that is where he will be.
As for the sponsor, first I heard (rumor now) that Bass Pro Shop has a section in there contract that says that there has to be three cars running out of the stable for them stay.
However even without Bass Pro Shop, I’m sure that there is another sponsor that wants to sponsor this guy like possibly NAPA, Truex does have one thing, he’s marketable like Michael Waltrip is, think about it…
Michael Waltrip Owner…Martin Truex Jr. Driver…and NAPA, what a duel combination that could be?
As mentioned earlier, MWR is tied in with TDR. And given the shape of GM and Dodge, Toyota looks a lot more stable. I wonder how much cutting back on R&D is going on at GM and Dodge at the moment compared to what Toyota is spending. It may just be that signing with any Toyota team is the smart move to make and Napa ia a great reliable sponsor with what seems like great loyalty to it’s driver.
Martin Truex Jr. should stay right where he is, for the moment.
I would like to see Martin at MWR, I love Mikey but it’s time for him to step out of the NAPA car. Martin could help the overall program, and I agree with others; MWR appears to be moving up and can we really say the same for DEI. Other possible option might be RCR if Casey is on his way out, but since RCR in general is having issues, he may have another year. Tony doesn’t quite have all of Ryan’s sponsorship needs covered (does anyone think Haas Automation would be on the car unless absolutely necessary) the last thing he needs is to stretch it for a 3rd team.
I like Truex and think he should stay where he is. I believe EGR will get out of this slump (if you can really call it that, they have had some bad luck) and will be a better team by the end of this year and compete. EGR, well DEI, is still recovering for the Dale Jr backlash and I think once they ride themselves of this they will be better off. I’m happy that Dale jr switching teams hasn’t improved his performance, looking back at his past performances, he was better when at DEI.
I’m a huge Truex fan, and I would actually like to see him at MWR. I know DEI, gave him his big break, but DEI is no more, and EGR is sliding downhill fast. They are just not competitive. By going to MWR, he will have an owner that cares and is passionate about racing, not just operaration a museum, manufacturer support, and a team that is on the rise. So Martin, get out of EGR ASAP!! It will be good for you.
Truexfan_pa: How can you say EGR is sliding downhill and isn’t competitive? Montoya is on the cusp of the Chase…
EGR not competitive??? You mean Martin Truex JR. isnt competitive. Juan montoya is plenty competitive in the same equipment. I sure hope EGR makes it through all this and stays around drivng chevys…JPM and the 42 team are doing their part thats for sure,Truex can go hes overated just like junior..
Monotya42 how can you say that truex is over rated. He won back to back championships. Truex is not done winning. We will see how it all plays out.