Martin Truex Jr. was added to 2025 Daytona 500 entry list during the NASCAR Cup Series season opener.
Truex will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage, a team owned by former NASCAR Cup Series driver David Gilliland.
The No. 56 Toyota will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, which has been a longtime sponsor of Truex since his rookie season in 2004.
Tricon Garage will benefit from technical support from Toyota-affiliated team Joe Gibbs Racing, Truex’s former team.
Uncharted entry is not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500. Truex will have to qualify based on his Daytona Duels qualifying race, scheduled for Thursday, February 13.
Truex, the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion, retired from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 season after 715 career races.
The New Jersey native ended his full-time Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing from 2019-24 after stints with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (2004-08), Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (2009), Michael Waltrip Racing (2010 -13) and Furniture Row. Racing (2014-18).
Truex has never won the Great American Race, but had a close race in 2016, finishing second to Denny Hamlin by 0.010 seconds.
Cole Pearn, who was crew chief for Truex from 2014 to 2019, will work as crew chief on the No. 56 Daytona 500 car.
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During a media day leading up to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Truex confirmed he plans to compete in the Daytona 500 with Pearn as team leader.
Pearn resigned from the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team after the 2019 season to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with his family. Pearn was crew chief for Truex during their time at Furniture Row Racing and joined JGR after the 2018 season.
In 179 races together, Pearn and Truex have combined to reach the Championship 4 race four times, winning a championship in 2017, two second places in 2018 and 2019, 24 wins, 70 top fives, 110 top 10s and 12 poles.
Truex has 34 career victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.
After stepping away from full-time racing, Truex will serve as an ambassador for Joe Gibbs Racing and work with the team. He also has the opportunity to participate in some races with the team in the future.
Chase Briscoe has been announced as a replacement driver in the No. 19 car starting next season.
Follow sports writer Austin Chastain on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ or contact him by email at [email protected].
This article was originally published on Nashville Tennessean: Daytona 500: Martin Truex Jr. to race for Tricon Garage in 2025 NASCAR race
