Ryan Blaney’s race at the 2024 Southern 500 was cut short after a few laps when Martin Truex Jr. collided with him early on. The incident was frustrating for Blaney, who injured his arm during the crash. Though he appeared hurt while exiting his car, Blaney assured fans in a post-race interview that he was okay. On Wednesday, he provided a further update on his condition.
At playoff media day, Blaney confirmed that he feels good and will be ready to compete at Atlanta Motor Speedway following his crash at Darlington Raceway. This is great news as Blaney aims to secure his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship, a feat that would place him in an elite group of drivers. Having shown strong performances over the summer, the Team Penske driver is expected to be a top contender once again.
Blaney heads into the Round of 16 with 18 playoff points and a 13-point advantage over the playoff cut line. With challenging races ahead at a superspeedway, Watkins Glen with intense tire wear, and a showdown at Bristol in the Round of 16 finale, the playoffs promise to be unpredictable. Fortunately, Blaney is in good shape and ready to defend his title.
Martin Truex Jr. to drive the No. 56 or No. 78 car in 2025 Daytona 500
Martin Truex Jr. will retire from full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2024 season, but he won’t completely step away from the sport. Truex plans to participate in several races during 2025, with one likely being the Daytona 500. He has already hinted at which car number he’ll drive for the event.
“It’ll either be the No. 56 or No. 78,” Truex said during playoff media day. “The No. 78 is our championship number, which holds special meaning, and the No. 56 was always my number, so we’ll see.”
Truex confirmed his plans to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500, and though some details remain uncertain, he indicated that the deal is “nearly finalized.” 23XI Racing seems to be the most probable team for Truex, possibly reuniting him with his former crew chief, Cole Pearn, who has expressed interest in working with him again.
While it will be sad to see Truex step away from full-time racing, there’s still a lot to look forward to. Truex will have new opportunities, and reuniting with his old car number and crew chief will add a special touch. The 2025 Daytona 500 promises to be thrilling, with Truex likely competing alongside familiar faces.
