Will Truex bolt from DEI?

Martin Truex Jr.

If free agent-to-be Martin Truex Jr. is considering employment with another team, the next two months should help him make up his mind.

Starting with last year’s spring race at Talladega, Truex shrugged off a slow start with finishes of 11th or better in six of nine races — including a dominant win at Dover. During that stretch, Truex rose from 20th in the standings to ninth. But Truex’s situation is much different this season. He’s feeling the pressure to duplicate last year’s performance and is unable to sneak up on competitors.

The good news is that Truex may not have to worry about finding a new employer.

His performance to date has been much better than in the first eight races of last year. If Truex decides to bolt, Richard Childress Racing’s new fourth car would be a step up. Truex is a good qualifier and probably wouldn’t sweat too much over the first five races of next season, when he would have to qualify solely on time. Also, Truex would be joining an organization whose current drivers rank among the top eight in points. If Truex’s cars don’t measure up to his expectations during these next two months, the decision to leave will become that much easier. And it would leave DEI without any full-time premier drivers. NASCAR.com