Truex aims for historic feat with NASCAR return to Daytona 500

Recently retired 2017 Cup champion martin truex jrWill enter the 2025 season-opening Daytona 500 and carry a piece of NASCAR history.

Truex left his ride in the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at the end of 2024, with Chase Briscoe leaving to Stewart-Haas Racing to replace him, but will aim to make his 694th career start in Cup by making the team. With Truck Series team Tricon Garage for his series debut at Daytona.

The 44-year-old will drive the #56 Toyota and remember his days using this number Michael Waltrip Racing between 2010–13 in an effort supported by JGR, which would reunite him with former crew chief Cole Pearn.

“It would be a really cool deal to be able to work with Cole and have the No. 56 again,” Truex said.

“I really appreciate everyone at Bass Pro Shops, Tricon and Toyota who have worked together to make this so much fun, and I couldn’t think of a better time for (Bass Pro Shops CEO) Johnny Morris to win this award. Can’t think about.”

Truex has started NASCAR’s crown jewel race 20 times, but none of his 34 Cup wins include a 500. In fact, Truex has never won a superspeedway race as a Cup driver.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. won his only Daytona 500 in 1998 after “20 years of trying and 20 years of frustration”, ultimately driving Harley J. Earl had the most efforts of any driver in Cup history before achieving the trophy. If Truex runs the race, 2025 will be his 21st Daytona 500 start. At this point in his career, a win in the 500 would be both unprecedented and record-breaking.

While Truex may be missing out on wins in pack racing events, he has come closer to the 500 victory than any other driver who has yet to win it. Truex lost to Future in 2016 denny hamlin The closest finish in the history of the race – 0.010 seconds.

There are now six open entries set for the 500, headlined by a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner. Helio Castroneves in the third Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet,

Truex also joins the #44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet JJ YaleyThe #62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet of Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod (#78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet) and the #40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet of reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier.

With only four places left on the grid, plus the newly added Open Exemption Provisional which is only available to Castroneves should he need it, the field could potentially be expanded to 41 cars.

Expected seven-time cup champion jimmy johnson 500, which it won in 2006 and 2013, while other teams are also looking for drivers and sponsors to enter.