Truex to join Waltrip Racing

CORNELIUS, N.C., July 10 (UPI) -- Sprint Cup driver Martin Truex Jr., will join Michael Waltrip Racing next season after four years with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Truex will be the primary driver of the No. 56 Toyota for NAPA, while Waltrip, in the No. 55 Toyota, runs a limited schedule, including the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2010.

The announcement, made earlier this week, came while Waltrip had been contemplating his driving future this season.

"As an owner, I knew there was a time that would come when I wouldn't be a full-time driver anymore, and that time is now," Waltrip said. "NAPA has been the greatest sponsor I could ever have, and I thought this was an opportunity to put them in victory lane on a regular basis."

Waltrip, 46, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, has won 84 times, third in all-time victories, while Truex, 29, has one victory and 34 top-10 finishes in 135 career Sprint Cup Series starts.