By Kerry Murphey

It’s been rumored for months now and now it’s official, Martin Truex Jr. is headed over to Michael Waltrip Racing for the 2010 season. Martin will wheel the #56 full time Toyota sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts.

So what about Michael Waltip himself, who has said on a number of occasions, that if his performance didn’t improve he would not race in 2010. It seems he will take the path of several other aging NASCAR drivers and drive a partial schedule instead, and drive the #55 NAPA Toyota on a limited basis, including next year’s Daytona 500, a race in which Michael has won twice before.

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Michael Waltrip believe he has chosen the right guy for the job, to propel MWR into a Championship in Martin Truex Jr., saying “I am turning my car over to a guy I think can win the championship, I just believe at this time in my career, Martin is the right guy.”

Truex has two Nationwide Series Championships to his credit, 1 Cup Series win, 12 Top 5’s, and 34 Top 10’s in NASCAR’S Top Series. Currently he drives for Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing driving their #1 machine, and is 24th in the point standings.

So why did they choose the #56? Well besides being one number up from Michael’s #55, this was the number Martin raced his entire career before getting to NASCAR. Martin Truex Jr. will have 3 teammates next season with Michael Waltrip, David Reutimann, and Marcos Ambrose (JTG/Daugherty Racing, out of the MWR shop)