Martin Truex Jr’s retirement from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2025 initiated a pivotal shift for Joe Gibbs Racing, forcing the team to reset its championship ambitions. Truex’s decision not only marked the end of an era but also led to a profound rebuild for the No. 19 crew, illuminating the significance of the “Martin Truex Jr retirement NASCAR” narrative throughout the season.
Truex’s Departure Leaves a Lasting Impact
Martin Truex Jr., who announced his retirement at 45, brought a 20-year journey to a close after the 2025 season. His legacy, defined by 34 Cup victories, a 2017 championship, and four Championship 4 appearances, helped make Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) a benchmark team in motorsport. Truex attributed his departure to the demanding travel schedule and a desire for more personal time, clarifying that the decision was not performance-related. As he stepped away, the No. 19 Toyota remained a top contender, symbolizing a transition rather than a decline.
The vacuum left by Truex extended beyond race results, touching the fabric of team chemistry and experience developed over years. It compelled JGR’s leadership, including crew chief James Small, to cultivate an entirely new team dynamic while honoring the legacy Truex built.
Inside the Team’s Overhaul and Early Challenges
With Truex’s departure, the No. 19 camp underwent a complete overhaul going into the 2025 season. Crew chief James Small returned with a new roster alongside driver Chase Briscoe, engineer Kyle, and car chief JD. Small described the challenge candidly:
It was very new. You know, not only with Chase and me, but we had a new engineer in Kyle and a new car chief, JD, and some other new faces on the team.
— James Small, Crew Chief
Everyone on the team, from the mechanics to the new driver, had to learn, communicate, and adapt together. Small elaborated on the learning curve:
We were still just trying to work out our flow from week to week and get an understanding of what Chase was feeling in the car, and at that point, it was still very foreign to him. I think it took us about 10, 11 races for him to really feel comfortable.
— James Small, Crew Chief
During the initial weeks, differences in preferences—such as Briscoe’s desired brake setup—required persistent adjustment. But with time and patience, team members gradually built cohesion. JGR’s trademark culture of communication became crucial, helping transform early struggles into measurable improvement. Eventually, Small acknowledged the crew’s progress:
We’re in a much better place now. The team has done an unbelievable job this year,
— James Small, Crew Chief
Acknowledging the contributions of key new staff, Small praised JD’s value as car chief:
He does a great job managing all the mechanics and making sure that we have really well-prepared cars.
— James Small, Crew Chief
The rapid development of the technical staff and improvement in car preparation were direct results of this fresh mix of talent and dedication.
Building Toward Consistency and Growth
The evolution of the No. 19 team quickly became a testament to resilience and adaptation within Joe Gibbs Racing. Briscoe, in particular, had to acclimate to a new environment vastly different from his previous home at Stewart-Haas Racing. Comparing the different cultures, Briscoe highlighted the elevated expectations he now faced:
It’s different I guess. Just because the expectation is there (in JGR), whereas at SHR, it honestly felt like you shocked the world when you won. Whereas here it doesn’t feel like that because they do win a lot.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
Working under a championship-caliber organization brought its own set of pressures, but it also offered Briscoe the foundation to grow. His progress not only reflected well on himself but also reinforced Small’s belief in the new blend of personalities and skills brought together after Truex’s retirement.
Small found particular satisfaction in watching the group’s transformation:
It’s been very fulfilling to watch Chase get better week to week, along with everybody else,
— James Small, Crew Chief
Through leadership from Small and JD, attention to detail, and an openness to change, the team has mirrored past JGR successes that were built on communication and persistence. Racing America described this steady climb as characteristic of JGR’s enduring ability to nurture chemistry under pressure.
Joe Gibbs Celebrates Briscoe’s Playoff Breakthrough
As the No. 19 team recovered and advanced, team owner Joe Gibbs expressed pride in the unexpected rise of Chase Briscoe, who entered the Championship 4 during his first year with JGR. Gibbs reflected on the Briscoes’ sacrifices and achievements:
Certainly you’re seeing somebody like Chase, who came up, sacrificed all that he sacrificed with his family and him, Marissa (Briscoe’s wife), everything that they’ve gone through to get to this level. It’s so exciting to see them have a year like they’ve had.
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
The numbers confirmed the team’s surge: three race wins, 15 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10s in 35 races surprised even the sport’s insiders. Gibbs noted the sense of astonishment:
I don’t think anybody did. I didn’t hear anybody in the press say that was going to happen. I think it took us all by surprise.
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
JGR had not clinched a Cup Series title since Kyle Busch’s 2019 triumph. Briscoe’s playoff run positioned the team as a contender to break the six-year drought, with the added narrative of him as the underdog against more established rivals such as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson. Unlike his competitors, Briscoe brought experience from his 2022 Phoenix win, which could give him an edge on championship Sunday—a crucial storyline with the likes of Hendrick Motorsports looming large and Penske Racing out of the mix.
Leading into the Phoenix Championship 4, Small’s rebuilt chemistry with Briscoe drew enthusiasm from the organization and ignited hope for NASCAR fans. The stakes were clear: 312 laps at Phoenix deciding the next champion, with JGR’s rebirth a central focus—made possible because of, and after, the Martin Truex Jr retirement NASCAR moment.
The Lasting Legacy and Future Path for Joe Gibbs Racing
Months after Truex’s emotional farewell, his influence continues to resonate throughout the Joe Gibbs Racing garage. The transition from a veteran’s steady leadership to a new core has required resilience and teamwork, aspects that have kept JGR at the top tier of NASCAR. The ongoing evolution of the No. 19 group stands as a quiet tribute to Truex’s career as well as a bold display of JGR’s ability to overcome challenges.
With Chase Briscoe proudly representing the team in the title fight and leaders like James Small and JD anchoring the crew, Joe Gibbs Racing demonstrates how the spirit of relentless improvement and unity can transform even a period of uncertainty into one of opportunity and hope. As the team eyes the championship, the combination of Truex’s indelible impact and the fresh surge of talent promises to keep JGR in the NASCAR Cup Series spotlight for years to come.
🗣️ "A lot's changed."@JoeGibbsRacing Crew Chief James Small discussed the growth of the No. 19 team as they get ready to race for a championship this weekend.
Full Interview: https://t.co/9V67SHwcGg pic.twitter.com/jxYvj3juTm
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 30, 2025
🗣️ "A lot's changed."@JoeGibbsRacing Crew Chief James Small discussed the growth of the No. 19 team as they get ready to race for a championship this weekend.
Full Interview: https://t.co/9V67SHwcGg pic.twitter.com/jxYvj3juTm
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 30, 2025
