By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
While the announcement that 5-Hour ENERGY would not be returning as a sponsor for Furniture Row Racing and Martin Truex Jr. came as a surprise across the industry, the 2017 champion was not surprised.
5-Hour ENERGY became the co-primary sponsor of the No. 78 Toyota in 2018 for 30 races with Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats.
“They had been the fence for quite a while, and we had been waiting on a decision. I wish it didn’t take as long as it did and kind of put us in a tough spot now. I’m not really, really worried. I think something good can come out of this,” Truex said on Friday
“Obviously, it’s not great timing with all that is going on. I’ve got confidence in my team and what we’re doing and hopefully we can find a replacement for that,
In prior years, Barney Visser, owner of Furniture Row Racing, placed his other companies, Furniture Row and Denver Mattress, on the car. However, Truex believes that may not necessarily happen, but that the perfect case scenario would be to find a replacement.
“I don’t know if it has changed that much in the last couple of year. Obviously, it probably goes up a little bit each year,” Truex continued. “I don’t think it changed drastically. I think perfect case scenario is that we find someone to replace 5-Hour and try to do it that way. I am not sure, we haven’t had conversations about that. I am not sure where Barney is at. We will see what comes of it.”
“They had been the fence for quite a while, and we had been waiting on a decision,’’ Truex said Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I wish it didn’t take as long as it did and kind of put us in a tough spot now. I’m not really, really worried. I think something good can come out of this.
With contract negotiations ongoing between Truex and Furniture Row, he believes that both parties can move forward in discussions, despite the difficulties. The veteran driver said that the contract is not a pressing issue because they are trying to figure out the best direction to go.
“It’s not like I am nervous or going to sign with somebody else. It’s nothing like that. It’s just focusing on racing and feeling like it will get done when it gets done,” Truex said about the contract.