2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. was at the Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 as an analyst for Prime Video. During Prime’s broadcast of the race on Sunday, Truex Jr. opened up about what he’s been up to since retiring from NASCAR.
After racing for two decades in the NASCAR Cup Series, Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 season. The 45-year- old did return for the 2025 Daytona 500 with TRICON Garage, but that was his last appearance in the paddock.
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Ever since, Truex Jr. disappeared from the sport and had not been seen at any of the races until recently, as he attended the Cup race at Michigan as an analyst for Prime. It was only the second time in two years since his retirement that the 2017 NASCAR champion had been to a race.
Fans rarely get to see or hear from Martin Truex Jr. The 45-year-old hasn’t posted anything on his social media accounts since January 2025, and his appearance on the broadcast for the FireKeepers Casino 400 sent a wave of emotion through the community.
During the live coverage of the Cup race, Martin Truex Jr. was questioned about why he has been so quiet and away from the sport. The 45-year-old replied,
“I’ve been doing a lot of fishing. Probably drank a few too many beers, my shirt’s a little tight today.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a close friend of Martin Truex Jr. and was also in the booth for the Cup race at Michigan as one of the play-by -play announcers. Dale Jr. had come out a few months ago and detailed how Truex Jr. maintained a low profile.
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Martin Truex Jr. recalls one of his favorite memories of Kyle Busch
Apr 30, 2022; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (right) talks with driver Denny Hamlin (left) on pit road during qualifying for the DuraMAX Drydene 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Prime Video’s broadcast played a video of Kyle Busch challenging Denny Hamlin & Martin Truex Jr. in New York in 2019, where the two-time champion ran and arrived at the hotel on foot before the other two drivers, who were in a car. Busch won the bet and Truex Jr. paid Rowdy in pennies.
Reflecting on the moments, Martin Truex Jr. said,
“It was good, and you know, that was one of my favorite memories of Kyle Busch away from the race track. We had, you know, a lot of great memories obviously on the race track and battles. We started, I think, in 2005 we raced for a championship against each other and went one-two, but Kyle off the race track that I got to know over the years was just a lot of fun.”
“You just seen it right there, it was classic Kyle. He wanted to pull one over on everybody and come out going, ‘Hahahahaha, you know, I won the deal. I outsmarted you guys.’ Obviously, thinking about his family and all that. You know, miss Kyle. He was one of a kind, a special guy, and a great friend,” added Truex Jr.
Kyle Busch suddenly passed away on May 21, 2026, after battling with pneumonia, which progressed into sepsis and led to complications.
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