LOUDON, N.H. -- Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. plans on returning to Furniture Row Racing, indicating that the loss of a 14-race sponsor after this season makes contract talks more difficult but not an impediment to getting a deal done.
5-hour Energy announced Wednesday that it would not remain in the sport, ending its sponsorship of the organization owned by furniture company owner Barney Visser. The sponsorship moved to Truex after last season when the team downsized from two cars with Erik Jones to just one with Truex.
The move had allowed Visser to have a fully funded car without putting his own company's money into the program. Bass Pro Shops sponsors 16 points races, and Auto-Owners Insurance has the other six on the Truex car.
The organization also must renew its deal with Toyota and its technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, which provides chassis for the team.
Truex, whose 16 wins since the start of the 2016 season are the most of any driver, said the loss of 5-hour Energy won't stop contract negotiations.
"It certainly makes things more difficult," Truex said. "We've been talking about it, and honestly it's not like we were waiting on this to happen. We are just trying to figure everything out, what's the best direction to go and get all the details.
"And, honestly, we haven't worked that hard on it. It's not really a pressing issue for me."
5-hour Energy characterized dropping the NASCAR program as a business decision.
"I don't know that I was surprised," Truex said. "They have been on the fence for kind of a while, and we have been kind of waiting on a decision. ... I wish it didn't take quite as long as it did, and it kind of puts us in a tough spot now.
"I'm not really, really worried. I think something good can come out of this. Obviously, it's not great timing with all that's going on, but I've got confidence in my team and what we're doing and hopefully we can find a replacement for that."
Visser had at least partially sponsored the car with his company in 12 seasons, even though NASCAR races in markets where he doesn't have stores.
"I don't see Barney putting Furniture Row back on the car [as a sponsor] and doing that," Truex said. "I don't know that he can make that work anymore. We'll see how it goes from here."
There are not many elite rides available at the moment for Truex to use as leverage, and he isn't a big fan of change.
"I know what the team wants," Truex said. "I know where we are all at.
"It's not like I'm nervous they're going to sign somebody else or I'm going to be searching for a ride. It's more just trying to focus on racing and feeling like it's going to get done when it gets done."