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Sunday, Jan 18, 2026

Martin Truex Jr. Unveils Return for Daytona 500 After Retirement Announcement

The former NASCAR champion re-enters the spotlight for the 2025 Daytona 500 with a new team and a familiar sponsor, signaling his return to racing after announcing his retirement.
NASCAR star Martin Truex Jr., who announced his retirement from full-time racing in 2024, has revealed plans to return to the track for the 2025 Daytona 500.

Truex, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion, will attempt to qualify for the iconic race in a Toyota sponsored by his longtime partner, Bass Pro Shops, marking a reunion with the brand that has supported him throughout his career.

Truex will compete with Tricon Garage, a team making its first-ever Cup Series start, backed by technical assistance from his most recent team, Joe Gibbs Racing.

His pit box will also be manned by Cole Pearn, the crew chief who led Truex to his 2017 championship win.

Despite announcing 2024 as his final full-time season in NASCAR, Truex, 44, has hinted at participating in a few select races in 2025, with the Daytona 500 at the top of the list.

The Daytona 500 has eluded Truex throughout his career, as he has never won the race after 20 attempts.

While Truex has claimed 34 Cup Series victories and a championship in 2017, he has come close in Daytona, with two second-place finishes — including a heartbreakingly close loss in the 2016 Daytona 500, where he finished just 0.010 seconds behind winner Denny Hamlin.

Tricon Garage, co-owned by former NASCAR driver David Gilliland, is an unchartered team that will need to qualify for the Daytona 500 through either pole qualifying or one of the 150-mile qualifying races, which are scheduled for February 13. Tricon fields five Toyotas in the NASCAR Truck Series, and with Truex at the wheel, the team is aiming to make a statement in its Cup Series debut.

Truex's decision to return for the Daytona 500 offers a twist in his retirement plans, as he once again steps into the spotlight with a mix of old alliances and new opportunities.

With the guidance of Pearn, technical support from Joe Gibbs Racing, and backing from Bass Pro Shops, Truex will look to overcome his past struggles at Daytona and make a memorable return to racing at the legendary track.
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