Martin Truex Sr., father of NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr., has tragically passed away at the age of 66. The news was confirmed by his family on social media Friday, 17th January, where they shared a heartfelt tribute to the patriarch of their racing family.
Family’s emotional statement on his passing
The Truex family expressed their sorrow with a statement that read: "We are devastated by the loss of our father. Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time." The loss has deeply affected his family, who have shared their grief with the public while asking for respect during this difficult time.
A racing legacy and his impact on his sons
Truex Sr. was not only the father of Martin Truex Jr., the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion, but also of Ryan Truex, a reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and a three-time Xfinity Series winner. The elder Truex’s dedication to his family and his passion for racing played a pivotal role in the success of his sons. Truex Sr. made personal sacrifices to ensure that his children could pursue their racing dreams.
Martin Truex Jr. has often credited his father for laying the foundation of his career, stating in past interviews that his father's guidance was essential to his success in NASCAR. Truex Sr. also helped Ryan find his path in racing, which allowed both sons to excel in the sport.
A short racing career, but a monumental impact
Martin Truex Sr. had a modest career in racing, competing in the Xfinity Series between 1989 and 1998, and participating in 15 races over those years. His best finish came in 1992, where he ended the season in 84th place.
However, his true claim to fame came in the Busch North Series (now the ARCA Menards Series East), where he raced in 135 events over a decade. His only career victory came in 1994 at New Hampshire, in the AutoPalace/Slick 50 150, a win that earned him national recognition.
Remembering Truex Sr. through the eyes of his peers
Truex Sr. earned respect not only from his family but also from his fellow racers. Andy Santerre, a four-time Busch North champion, shared fond memories of racing against Truex, saying, "He was a gentleman racer, fun to race with... I remember that Martin Sr. beat me at New Hampshire in ’94, and I was as happy for him as I was to finish second."
Mike Olson, another former champion from the Busch North Series, praised Truex Sr. for his role in shaping his sons’ racing careers, noting that “Martin Sr. did a great job in bringing Martin Jr. into the ranks.”
A family tradition of racing
In an interview with FOX Sports in 2018, Martin Truex Jr. reflected on the influence his father had on him and his brother Ryan, noting, “It was kind of like a family tradition. I wanted to go every single weekend. I wanted to go everywhere my dad went.” The bond between the Truex brothers is evident, with both Martin and Ryan expressing that they always supported each other, regardless of the challenges they faced in their careers.
Truex Jr. stated, “My dad and my brother, they're always there no matter what I think for me and have my back so that's always good to know.” Ryan echoed this sentiment, saying, “I say we're just tough and we don't give up. We stick together for sure.”
Truex Sr. also shared his pride in his family, emphasizing the love and dedication that defined their upbringing. "Just the way that they grew up in a family that's loving, caring, hardworking," he said. "My wife did a great job raising them."
The passing of Martin Truex Sr. marks the end of an era for the Truex family, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his sons, both of whom continue to inspire the NASCAR community.