After retiring from full-time competition following the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Martin Truex Jr. has taken an unexpected path by entering private aviation with a focus on critical medical transport. The 2017 Cup Series champion recently established MTJ Aviation, a charter flight company that offers specialized medical flights for transplant centers across the United States.
MTJ Aviation operates as an ARGUS Gold and WYVERN-certified Part 135 company, providing 24/7 private medical transportation with an emphasis on speed and safety, bypassing the traditional procedures often associated with charter services. Truex’s unique experience traveling extensively during his NASCAR career influenced the creation of this venture.
Martin Truex Jr.’s Transition from Racing to Aviation
Martin Truex Jr., who stepped away from full-time racing after the 2024 season, had spent two decades competing at top levels of NASCAR and securing his only Cup Series championship in 2017 while driving for Furniture Row Racing. Despite stepping back, he made a one-off appearance in the 2025 Daytona 500 with TRICON Garage but has not committed to additional races in the Cup, Xfinity, or Truck Series since.
Earlier in 2024, Truex began distancing himself from NASCAR’s core in Mooresville, North Carolina, by listing his longtime residence, marking a clear shift toward new endeavors outside the sport. MTJ Aviation represents that new direction, focusing on a segment of private aviation that prioritizes medical safety and efficiency over luxury or business travel.
MTJ Aviation’s Mission and Team Expertise
The new company targets a vital niche by supporting medical personnel and transplant patients who require swift, secure air transport. The service aims to reduce common delays seen in typical charter models, streamlining operations to deliver fast, reliable flights for life-saving purposes.
MTJ Aviation’s leadership highlights its commitment to expertise and trustworthiness rather than flashy appeal. Chief Pilot Guy Cooper brings more than 15 years of corporate aviation experience, notably with Delta Private Jets. Maintenance Director Ron Dietz II contributes over two decades of technical knowledge, focusing on aircraft airframes and power plants, forming a seasoned team that ensures safety and punctuality.
Reflections on Life After Racing: Hunting, Flying, and Friends
In a July 2024 interview on The Dale Jr. Download podcast with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Truex shared insights into his post-racing lifestyle, which centers on spending more time outdoors and enjoying his passion for flying. Hunting and fishing, longstanding interests of Truex, now occupy significant portions of his time.
“First good weather we get in October, we’re going. Those first couple cold days… that is the best time to be up there. So we’ll keep the plane ready to go,”
—Martin Truex Jr., NASCAR Driver
This seasonal routine includes hunting trips in Kansas before moving on to Phoenix, followed by visits to close friends in Missouri, with the autumn months becoming his favored period away from the race track. Although the 2024 Phoenix race delay disrupted his usual rhythm, Truex still prioritized these outdoor excursions.
The Road Ahead: What Lies Next for Martin Truex Jr.?
While Martin Truex Jr.’s future in NASCAR remains uncertain, his energy clearly channels into MTJ Aviation and his personal interests such as hunting and flying. His company offers a critical service that could transform how medical teams manage urgent patient transportation. By leveraging his extensive travel background and assembling a highly experienced crew, Truex is building MTJ Aviation into a premier provider of essential medical charter flights.
The NASCAR community continues to watch closely, wondering if he will return to competition on a part-time basis. For now, however, Truex appears focused on making a meaningful impact off the track, applying his discipline and dedication to help save lives through private aviation.