In the midst of the best season of his career, Stafford Township native Martin Truex Jr. agreed to a multiyear contract extension with Michael Waltrip Racing, the NASCAR team announced Friday.
MWR also announced a multiyear extension with NAPA, which has been Truex's sponsor since he joined the team in 2010. The company will continue to sponsor all 36 Sprint Cup races each season and both non-points events.
"Driving the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota means the world to me,” Truex, 32, said in a news release. “I knew when I signed on for the 2010 season that we had a lot of work to do to get the performance to where NAPA would be proud of us, and I also knew I had big shoes to fill in that NAPA uniform because Michael (Waltrip, the team owner) is the best at being an ambassador for sponsors."
Truex is fifth in the Sprint Cup standings with two races remaining before the Chase. He would be the first MWR ever to qualify for the Chase.
"It is so gratifying that the hard work has paid off with competitive racecars every week," Truex said. "And I am more comfortable than ever that NAPA is my sponsor and I am their driver. It’s my job to do everything I can to make sure we are together for the rest of my career.”
Waltrip, whom Truex replaced as a driver on the team, said the deals were a priority for his three-car Cup operation.
“Re-signing Martin was huge for us," Waltrip said in the news release. "We’ve given him competitive racecars and engines this year and he’s been able to showcase his talent.
"Where I am most proud of Martin is off the track. He has dedicated himself to be a leader in our organization and has accepted his role as an ambassador for our sponsors. His work with NAPA, Toyota, AAA, along with his foundation work, has shown his maturity as a person and he makes me proud.”
