“People in the sport know what they're seeing,” Truex said. “If I was out there running 35th every weekend or 25th every weekend, then they might say, 'Yeah, he ain't got it no more — he's washed up,' or 'He's getting too old.' But I don't (run at the back). When my car's fast, I lead laps and I run up front. It's as simple as that. I know what I can do when my stuff's right.”

Though Waltrip said personnel decisions about Truex's team for next year haven't been made, Truex already is lobbying for his long-time crew chief, Kevin Manion.

“We've had a lot of success together,” Truex said. “I love him, and he's like a brother to me. So I would love to have him over here. I've got a lot of confidence in him. I know he's good. I know he can do the job.

“Obviously, it not my sole decision to make, and we've got to figure out his situation and talk to him and see what he wants and make sure that he thinks this is the right deal for him. … I think it would make it a lot easier for me coming into a new place to have him on my side.”

by Reid Spencer/Sporting News