Martin Truex Jr. will aim to make the first post-retirement start of his career in NASCAR’s biggest race, teaming up with Tricon Garage for a run in next month’s Daytona 500.
The attempt will mark a debut in the Cup Series garage for the David Gilliland-owned organization, which announced Thursday that Truex will drive the No. 56 Toyota in the “Great American Race,” scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16 (2:30 p.m.). ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Truex retired from full-time competition after the 2024 season, alluding in his June 14 announcement that he was open to another attempt at the Daytona 500, as well as competing in other select races. The 44-year-old’s full-time racing career ended with 34 Cup Series victories, the 2017 Cup championship and two titles (2004-05) in what is now called the Xfinity Series.
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Cole Pearn, his longtime crew chief, will also come out of retirement to take pit duty for the Daytona effort. Pearn helped Truex to 24 victories in his five seasons together, including four Championship 4 appearances and the Cup Series crown in 2017.
Primary sponsorship will be provided by long-time partner Bass Pro Shops. The company founded by Johnny Morris has had a connection with Truex since 2004, the same year Truex made his Cup Series debut in a Bass Pro Shops-sponsored car.
“It will be a really good deal to be able to work with Cole and have number 56 again,” Truex said in a team release. “I really appreciate everyone at Bass Pro Shops, Tricon and Toyota helping to put this all together for fun, and I can’t think of a better time to go win the prize for Johnny Morris.”
Truex will attempt to land the uncharted entry on the grid for his 21st start at the Daytona 500. The former Cup Series champion has never won the season-opening 500-miler, coming closest in 2016, so that he was runner-up to Denny Hamlin by just 0.010 seconds.
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Tricon’s first Cup Series effort will include technical support from Toyota subsidiary Joe Gibbs Racing. Gilliland, a former Cup Series driver, has fielded entries in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2018, rebranding David Gilliland Racing at Tricon Garage and moving its manufacturer alliance from Ford to Toyota ahead of the 2023 season.
“This opportunity is a testament to the dedication of our entire organization and our partners at Toyota. Having raced against Martin for many years, I can confidently say that there is no stronger competitor than I would want behind the wheel for our first Cup Series entry at the most prestigious race in the sport,” said Gilliland. “As an open candidate, we know the road ahead will be difficult, but I am confident Martin will put us in the best position to succeed.” I had the privilege of sitting on the pole at Daytona, but my next goal is to celebrate at Victory Lane.
Tricon Garage will field five full-time Truck Series teams this year, with returning drivers Corey Heim and Tanner Gray joining the newcomers. Tony Briedinger And Gio Ruggiero for peak season times. The fifth entry will be distributed between four pilots — Lawless Alan, Brent Crews, Brandon Jones and William Sawalich.
The Daytona 500 bid continues Truex’s connection to Toyota, which began in 2016. That streak includes the past six seasons with Gibbs’ No. 19 team.
