Martin Truex, Jr. has confirmed that he will not return to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014. ‘I gave (Michael Waltrip) time to try and work it out and we tried to work it out together’ said Truex. ‘But its hard to put stuff together at this point of the year. So its time now for me to figure out what Im going to do, and figure it out quickly. Im running out of time.” Asked about speculation that he is the heir-apparent to Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing next season, Truex insisted, ‘there is nothing to talk about yet. Theyve done a great job this year and Im interested in their program. Theyre definitely on my radar, but well just have to see where it goes.” Truex said he has not made any inquiries about returning to the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage, where is a two-time champion, but did not rule out doing so in the future. ‘Ive always loved the Nationwide Series and the time I was able to run there even part-time while running Sprint Cup at DEI and MWR was a lot of fun. Its something that Ive missed in the past few seasons, and Id be interested in going back there on a part-time basis (in addition to a full-time Sprint Cup ride).” Truex admitted that the last few weeks have been among the most difficult of his career. Its been tough here lately, but well go back after them this weekend’ he said. ‘All you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go back and try again. Weve had a rough go of it lately, but it could always be worse. Hopefully, out of all this bad stuff that has happened, something good will develop.”( Godfather Motorsports )(10-16-2013) UPDATE: Martin Truex Jr. has agreed to drive the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet in 2014. Sources say the parties came to terms on Wednesday night. A formal announcement is expected next Tuesday. In his eighth year as a full-time Sprint Cup driver, Truex has spent the past four seasons driving the #56 NAPA Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. However, MWRs manipulation of the outcome of the Sept. 7 race at Richmond International Raceway and subsequent sanctions from NASCAR resulted in Truexs disqualification from the Chase for the Sprint Cup and NAPAs decision to part ways with the organization at the end of the season.( Fox Sports )(10-17-2013) UPDATE 2: Furniture Row Racing hopes it soon will be able to name Martin Truex Jr. as the organizations driver for 2014. Joe Garone, FRRs general manager, said Friday an offer has been extended to Truex but there remained a few details to work out. ‘To move to another driver of Martins caliber makes us more solid in the sport’ Garone said. ‘If we are able to get something done, I think thats part of what that hire does.” Garone said it would help the organization to be able to sign a driver for longer than a one-year deal, which is what it had with Busch. ‘Were starting this next season as strong as we are now’ Garone said. ‘There are a lot of places weve identified that we can be better at and during the second half of this year weve been able to correct a lot of them. I think well be able to hit the ground running next season.”( Charlotte Observer )
