Ryan Truex Breaks Silence on the Mental Toll of His Joe Gibbs Racing Role Despite Victory Lane Success, Ryan Truex's Path to Full-Time Xfinity Ride Blocked by Sponsorship Woes

Ryan Truex recently opened up about the challenges he faces in his limited role at Joe Gibbs Racing, highlighting the mental strain of his part-time position.

Despite showing great promise, Truex, now 32, has struggled to secure a full-time spot in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. Fans, including supporters of his brother Martin Truex Jr., are still waiting for him to land a permanent ride, even after an impressive season.

Truex has delivered standout performances driving the No. 19 and 20 Toyota Supras, including victories at Daytona and the BetRivers 200 at Dover. His Daytona win was particularly meaningful, echoing his brother’s achievement in 2005. However, despite these successes, a full-time contract with Joe Gibbs Racing remains elusive.

In a candid interview with Jeff Gluck for The Athletic’s “12 Questions” series, Truex shared the difficulties of his situation. His primary responsibility at JGR is working as a simulator driver, which he compared to a grueling road trip. Spending long hours, two to three days a week, Truex has completed over 25,000 laps in the simulator, describing the work as both physically and mentally draining.

Truex’s future is uncertain, especially with Brandon Jones set to return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, taking a full-time seat. Sponsorship hurdles have complicated Truex’s path, despite support from Toyota, Auto-Owners Insurance, and SiriusXM. Although his talent is evident, the lack of a full-time deal continues to keep him in limbo.