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Martin Truex Jr.’s Bold Daytona 500 Comeback: A Last Shot at Glory or Another Heartbreak

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
February 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Martin Truex Jr.’s Bold Daytona 500 Comeback: A Last Shot at Glory or Another Heartbreak

Martin Truex Jr. and Ross Chastain shake hands before they talk to the press on the red carpet during NASCAR media day on Wednesday, Feb.12, 2025.

Can the NASCAR Icon Finally Break His Superspeedway Curse?

Martin Truex Jr. has never been one to fade quietly into the background. After an illustrious 21-year career, 34 Cup Series victories, and a championship crown in 2017, his retirement in 2024 left fans wondering if they’d ever see him back in a stock car. Well, wonder no more—because Truex is back, and he’s aiming for the one prize that has eluded him: the Daytona 500.

The veteran driver is making his return to the high banks of Daytona in a high-stakes gamble, entering the race as an open competitor. That means no guaranteed spot—he’ll have to fight his way through qualifying just to make the main event. And he’s not doing it alone. In a move that’s making waves in the NASCAR world, Truex is linking up with TRICON Garage as the team makes its much-hyped Cup Series debut.

A Superteam Forms: The Return of Cole Pearn

The comeback story doesn’t stop with Truex. His legendary crew chief, Cole Pearn, is also stepping out of retirement to reunite with his former driver. The Truex-Pearn duo was nothing short of dominant during their time together, racking up 24 victories, four Championship 4 appearances, and a title in 2017. If there’s anyone who can help Truex finally conquer Daytona, it’s the man who guided him to his greatest triumphs.

According to Truex, the Daytona plans were in motion before he had even formally announced his retirement. The deal came together thanks to longtime sponsor Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, alongside David Gilliland, who’s leading the charge at TRICON. “It all started with Johnny Morris… I didn’t even announce my retirement yet, and we had already somewhat put Daytona together,” Truex revealed. “I said, ‘Well, I wanna race a little bit next year,’ and Johnny was like, ‘Hey, wanna go to Daytona?’ I was like, let’s go! He’s the best guy. He has done so much for me… David Gilliland and all the TRICON guys have been great.”

TRICON Garage’s High-Stakes Cup Series Debut

TRICON Garage, formerly known as David Gilliland Racing, has been a fixture in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2018. In 2023, the team underwent a major transformation, rebranding as TRICON and switching manufacturer support from Ford to Toyota. Now, with technical backing from Toyota and powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing, TRICON is ready to step onto the biggest stage in motorsports—and Truex Jr. is the man they’re betting on to make history.

Gilliland himself is confident in his new driver. “This opportunity is a testament to the dedication of our entire organization and our partners at Toyota,” he said. “Having raced against Martin for many years, I can confidently say there’s no stronger competitor I’d want behind the wheel for our first Cup Series entry at the sport’s most prestigious race.”

Daytona: Truex’s Greatest Frustration

For all his accolades, the Daytona 500 remains Truex’s Achilles’ heel. His heartbreak at the track is well-documented—most notably in 2016, when he lost by a mere 0.010 seconds to Denny Hamlin in one of the closest finishes in NASCAR history. Since then, the superspeedway has continued to haunt him. Despite leading laps and coming close on multiple occasions, the checkered flag has always slipped through his fingers.

Even Truex acknowledges the sting. Speaking ahead of the 2023 Daytona 500, he reflected on his near-miss: “Every time we come to Daytona, it’s one of the highlights, right? You see it and you’re like, ‘Oh dang, there it is again.’ Hopefully next time we get that close, we’re on the other side of it.”

Can Truex Flip the Script in 2025?

Statistically, superspeedways have been a weak spot for Truex. He’s never won at Daytona or Talladega, despite averaging a 16.8 finish and collecting two runner-up finishes at NASCAR’s biggest event. But this time, the stakes are different. Not only is he fighting to cement his legacy, but he’s also bringing a brand-new Cup team to the sport’s biggest stage. If he could pull off a fairytale win, it would be reminiscent of his underdog triumph with Furniture Row Racing in 2017.

So, is this the year Truex finally exorcises his superspeedway demons? Or will Daytona break his heart once again? One thing is certain: if he does make it to Victory Lane, it will be one of the greatest comeback stories in NASCAR history.

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