Truex unsure of future plans (2nd Update)

UPDATE #2 Waltrip … said that if Truex could find another deal, he wouldn't hold him back even though two years remain on his contract. Right now, there's only one other real deal out there the Furniture Row Racing #78 car. That team is self-funded by Barney Visser, who owns the furniture chain. Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said he was interested in Truex, and he likely could wait a while for Truex to make a decision. The organization likely would go with a young driver if not Truex, meaning all those drivers probably would be available well into November before having to make a commitment for 2014.

The big "if" is whether NAPA will return and sponsor another Cup team. NAPA likes to have a car for the full season but several sources in the garage said the $16 million that NAPA is reportedly paying likely includes a hefty Chase bonus and might be too low to garner a full season with other organizations. Team owner Richard Childress said he wasn't going to call NAPA, but he could start a fourth team if there is interest. "You're always interested, but we're going to see what shakes down here with those guys," he said. "I hope NAPA stays in the sport. I really hate it for Martin. I'm sure they'll see the value in our sport and hopefully stay in with whomever. We're not going to beat their door down. We can do a fourth team. I don't believe in going out and chasing somebody in a bad situation. Let them make their decision."

Chip Ganassi had no comment on the possibility of pursuing Truex, while Roger Penske said he is set with his two Cup teams for next year. "Martin's one of the good young drivers here," Penske said. "We're committed (to) two cars next year. We have plenty of drivers. What we need to do is stay focused. At this point, I don't see us going with Truex or NAPA." Sporting News

09/23/13 Martin Truex, Jr., an innocent victim in this whole thing, is handling things with class. But he points out that he now has to look out for himself, and that means making some quick decisions about 2014. Immediately after NAPA's decision to pull the plug on the Waltrip-Truex team, there were hopes that NAPA, perhaps with Truex, might move to another stock car operation and continue its sports marketing here. NAPA is one of this sport's long-time sponsors. However Sunday here a man close to the situation said NAPA has now decided simply to drop out of NASCAR racing. If so, that could be a devastating blow; the sanctioning body itself just lost Nationwide as sponsor of its Triple-A tour (following the 2014 season). Where Truex might land, if he does move on? Well, Toyota's Joe Gibbs has been looking to fill a long-proposed fourth Cup team slot; Gibbs tried to get Kurt Busch earlier this year. And Richard Childress is still filling out his 2014 roster. Truex says simply "life moves on. I've moved on from it. MikeMulhern.net

09/23/13

Martin Truex Jr.

Martin Truex, Jr. talked to the media after qualifying Friday afternoon in New Hampshire:

Where do you stand with Michael Waltrip Racing for next season?
"I don't know — it's too early to tell to be honest with you. I wish I knew and I wish I could say, but a lot of circumstances have to play out and it's so late in the game and late in the season. People already know what they're doing next year — this is definitely not the time of year you want to find out that you really don't have a ride next year, so to speak. I don't know, it's going to be tough, but we'll have to deal with it and hopefully we'll figure it out."

Would you like to stay at Michael Waltrip Racing?
"I really enjoyed my last four years at MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) and I feel like we're getting to where we wanted to be when we started four years ago, and this is obviously going to set us back. But, I would love to be there. There's no guarantees right now — it just depends on how everything goes down."

Is it possible NAPA go to another race team with you as the driver?
"We do have a great relationship and again, this has all happened so fast — obviously, they're (NAPA) going to need a little time for the dust to settle and figure out what they're next move is. Just have to wait. I guess it's an option, yeah. I feel like we've got a great relationship. I feel like I've represented them well and I know they're happy with the job I've done on and off the race track. We'll just see where that leads. But right now honestly I have no idea what's going to happen." Toyota Racing PR