By now most of us have seen that Martin Truex Jr will be with Michael Waltrip Racing next year, courtesy of chicachericola.

Martin will take over Mikey's ride next year, in the number 56 Napa Toyota.  Michael, who has been driving in he Cup series since the '80's will hang up his racing shoes and turn the car over to Mikey........Well maybe.  As we all know the Waltrips are notorious for wanting to jump back in the car.  Darrell did it a Martinsville in a truck and in a then Busch car, so what's to stop Mikey from racing the 55 at Daytona and Talladega, at the very least.

Martin and Michael aren't strangers.  Their association together began when Michael was driving the 15 Napa Chevy for Dale Earnhardt Inc., back when Dale Sr was at the helm.  Martin came on board Chance 2 Motorsports, the joint Nationwide venture between Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., in 2004.  Martin won both the 2004 and 2005 Nationwide Series titles before moving full time into Sprint Cup competition in 2006, where he again partnered with Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

Michael was still driving with DEI in 2004, althought not having much success.  He would depart DEI in 2005, supposedly for Bill Davis Racing, but when that operation closed their doors, Michael and Buffy took over the reigns, forming Michael Waltrip Racing.

Although many laughed at the "Clown Prince" of NASCAR, as Michael was named by Stock Car Racing magazine, he persevered.  It wasn't easy and Michael likely spread himself too thin.  The team struggled terribly and, again, the detractors said the team would close their doors.  Yet Michael and David Reutimann continued their efforts to succeed and finally, this year, it seems they are.  On May 25th, 2009 a very nervous David Reutimann and an equally nervous Michael Waltrip scored their first win, at Michigan in a rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600.  In fact, Michael said:

"I'm proud of what I've accomplished and I was genuinely more happy when David won that race in Charlotte than I've been in a long time in my career so that was confirmation that I made the right decision, that I can get joy out of helping mold and shape MWR and helping to make all of these wonderful men and women that work here understand that their owner is in there with them, in the trenches, fighting, working, trying to help them do whatever we need to help them have success."

For 2010, Martin Truex Jr will join the ranks, and hopefully continue the winning ways.  If anyone could do so, I'd like to think it was Martin.  At only 29 years of age, he certainly has time to win races, if not championships.  David Reutimann and Marcose Ambrose are not kids, but mature young men, determined to win and Martin undoubtedly has that same determination.

Success on the track hasn't been easy for Martin, although racing is in his blood.  His dad, Martin Sr. was a racer and his brother, Ryan,  and cousin, Curtis, also compete on the tracks, in the Camping World East Series.  Martin Jr hails from New Jersey originally and started racing in a feeder series, like most successful drivers.  In 2000 he was in the Camping World East Series and in 2001 started in his first Nationwide race, before moving into the series full time, racing for his father, Martin Sr.. 

His move to Chance 2 Motorsports is what really brought him to our attention, partly because of his affiliation with Dale Earnhardt Jr, where he gained an instant fan base.   In fact, he rented a house from Dale Jr early on, before he built one of his own.  He now lives near Mooresville, NC in the heart of NASCAR Racing country.  He and longtime girlfriend, Sherry, have started the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation for charity, sponsoring both poker and golf tournaments.

Martin had incredible success in the Nationwide Series, scoring 13 wins during his three years in the series. Unfortunately, his foray into the Cup Series has not been as dominant, and he has managed only one win to date.  Many would say his lack of success is due mostly to his being a driver for the wrong team.  We all know DEI has struggled and first merged with Ginn Racing, then most recently with Ganassi.  This most recent merger has not brought in the funds both organizations had hoped and even with Juan Pablo Montoya sitting in 11th in the points at this point in the season, it seems unlikely EGR will grab new sponsors for 2010.

What Earnhardt-Ganassi does or doesn't do for 2010 is not something Martin Truex Jr will have to worry about.  Having witnessed his ethic and his loyalty, however, this fan has no doubt Martin will do everything in his power to bring another win to EGR before he walks out of their doors for the last time.