Martin Truex Jr. signs 2-year extension with NASCAR team

DENVER (AP) Martin Truex Jr. has signed a two-year contract extension with Furniture Row Racing, keeping him with his NASCAR team through the 2018 season.

The Denver-based operation also announced Thursday that Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats will increase their primary sponsorship on the No. 78 Toyota from 12 to 16 races in 2017. The outdoorsman giants served as Truex's primary sponsors for his back-to-back Xfinity Series championships (2004-05) and the first three years of his Sprint Cup career (2006-08).

They were reunited this season.

''Martin has proved over and over that he is one of the blue-chip drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and we are elated that he will continue to drive our No. 78 Toyota,'' Furniture Row Racing President Joe Garone said in a statement.

The 36-year-old Truex already has clinched a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship this season. He has one win, three top-five finishes and nine top-10s in 21 races. He also tops the Cup series with 1,005 laps led and ranks eighth in driver points.

Truex has been Furniture Row's driver since the start of the 2014 season. The New Jersey driver made the Chase last year and advanced to the final four.

''I am pleased that we're going to continue our momentum from this season,'' Truex said. ''This is where I want to be, driving the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota. We've come a long way in a short period of time. There are many reasons to feel excited and optimistic about the future of our racing program. ...

''We definitely have the resources and talent to go after victories and championships.''