Martin Truex Jr. has signed with Furniture Racing to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet in 2014. According to sources the team and Truex agreed to terms on Wednesday night and a formal announcement is expected next Tuesday.
Truex, a two time Nationwide Series Champion has spent the past four seasons driving the No. 56 NAPA Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. He has two wins in the Sprint Cup, the most most recent coming at Sonoma Raceway on June 23.
Truex Jr. has been at the head of controversy stemming from a series of events that took place at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 7 that led to sanctions from NASCAR that ultimately took him out of the Chase. Brian Vickers pitted to allow another car to pass him as theywere coming to green. Clint Bowyer may have spun his car after questionable comments were made over the radio. NASCAR docked all three MWR drivers 50 points.
Not long after, MWR sponsors announced they were reviewing race events and would make formal announcements to where they stand with the team. NAPA shocked NASCAR when they announced they were leaving MWR at seasons end. With the loss of sponsor NAPA, Truex Jr. could not stay with MWR unless other sponsorship was found. Both 5-Hour Energy and Aaron’s said they were staying with the team.
Earlier this week, MWR announced they were going to a two full time cars for 2014, which in turn granted Truex Jr. his release.
Truex Jr. will be replacing Kurt Busch, who is heading to Stewart Haas Racing next season.
