Martin Truex Jr., one of NASCAR’s most celebrated drivers, is gearing up to retire from full-time racing at the close of this season. However, recent rumors suggest that the 2017 Cup Series Champion may not be stepping away entirely. The buzz around the racing world is that Truex is eyeing a return for the 2025 Daytona 500, potentially joining the 23XI Racing team, which is co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan.
While nothing official has been confirmed, Truex’s possible partnership with 23XI Racing has been a hot topic in NASCAR circles. During a media day event for the playoffs, Denny Hamlin, a key figure in 23XI Racing and a close friend of Truex, was asked how often fans might see Truex on the track next year. With a cryptic smile, Hamlin replied, “Three times.”
This comment only fueled the rumors, as Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass hinted at the possibility of Truex aligning with 23XI Racing. However, Hamlin chose not to directly confirm or deny this speculation, responding to Pockrass’s inquiry with a playful, “I see what you’re doing there, Bob.”
Truex, who has spent his final full-time season racing with Joe Gibbs Racing, has hinted that his time away from the sport may be brief. A few weeks ago, the 44-year-old racer made waves when he announced his intention to compete in the Daytona 500 next year. What makes this return even more exciting is his plan to reunite with former crew chief Cole Pearn, with whom he had immense success at Furniture Row Racing, including their 2017 Cup Series Championship win.
Truex’s fans are eagerly awaiting more details on his 2025 plans. In response to questions about his future, Truex said he definitely plans to race at least once but left the door open for more appearances throughout the season. “I’m not sure either. I’m kind of looking at it still. Definitely once. And then from there, my guess would be five, six, seven times. So we’ll see,” he teased.
Truex’s potential return isn’t the only thing making headlines. His recent race at Watkins Glen International left him feeling frustrated after what can only be described as a chaotic end to the event. Entering the race, Truex was just 18 points away from the playoff cutline. His chances looked strong after a second-place qualifying finish and a stellar performance in the opening stages of the race.
However, things quickly took a turn during the final laps. Todd Gilliland’s attempt to overtake Kyle Larson during a late restart caused a chain reaction, with Truex’s car getting caught in the mix and colliding with the wall. What seemed like a sure top-10 finish slipped through his fingers as he ended up in 20th place.
After the race, a visibly frustrated Truex expressed his dissatisfaction with the aggressive driving style displayed by many of his competitors, especially during restarts. “It’s crazy how these races always end up like this. I don’t understand how drivers call themselves the best when they just push through everyone on restarts. It’s really frustrating,” he said, sharing his discontent.
Truex wasn’t alone in his feelings. His friend and co-owner of 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, echoed his sentiments, pointing out the lack of respect and accountability that seems to plague the sport at times.
Watkins Glen wasn’t an isolated incident for Truex. Since his eighth-place finish at Pocono earlier this year, he has struggled to break into the top 20. As he heads into the next race at Bristol, the pressure is mounting. Truex currently finds himself outside the top 12, needing a top-five finish to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Despite these recent setbacks, Martin Truex Jr. remains one of the most talented and respected drivers in NASCAR. His ability to bounce back from adversity and his passion for racing continue to shine through. Even as he winds down his full-time career, fans and analysts alike are confident that Truex’s story is far from over. Whether it’s at the 2025 Daytona 500 or a handful of other races, it seems likely that Truex will continue to leave his mark on the sport he loves.
As the 2024 season draws to a close, all eyes are on Martin Truex Jr. Will he defy the odds and make a deep playoff run? Or will his focus shift towards an exciting part-time return in 2025? Either way, his legacy in NASCAR is already cemented, and fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for this legendary driver.
