Martin Truex Jr. is set to step away from full-time NASCAR racing at the conclusion of this season. However, rumors suggest that his racing days aren’t entirely over, as he’s reportedly planning to make a comeback at the 2025 Daytona 500. Speculation has it that Truex Jr. might partner with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team for the iconic race, setting the stage for a potential high-profile return.
During the playoff media day, Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a close associate of Truex Jr., was asked about how often fans might see Truex Jr. on the track next year. His answer, “Three times,” hinted at the possibility of limited appearances but didn’t offer any concrete details. Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass also suggested a possible collaboration between Truex Jr. and 23XI Racing, though Hamlin kept the rumors at bay with a playful response, “I see what you’re doing there, Bob,” without confirming anything.
Truex Jr., who won the 2017 Cup Series Championship, is finishing up his final season with Joe Gibbs Racing after a successful career. Despite stepping back from full-time competition, he hasn’t closed the door on racing entirely. Just two weeks ago, the 44-year-old driver revealed that he plans to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500, and he’s likely to team up with his former crew chief, Cole Pearn. Together, Truex Jr. and Pearn enjoyed a highly successful run at Furniture Row Racing, where they secured multiple victories and claimed the 2017 Cup Series title.
In response to questions about his future racing plans, Truex Jr. confirmed that he intends to race at least once next season, with the possibility of participating in a handful of additional races. “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 said, leaving the door open for multiple appearances in 2025.
In another instance, Truex Jr. voiced his frustration following the chaotic playoff race at Watkins Glen International this past Sunday. Entering the race, he was 18 points behind the playoff cutline, but things initially looked promising as he secured a second-place finish in qualifying and won the first stage of the race. However, the final laps of the race turned into a mess, leading to a disappointing outcome for Truex Jr.
During the race’s late restarts, Todd Gilliland’s attempt to overtake Kyle Larson caused a ripple effect that led to Truex Jr. hitting the wall. This misstep cost him a top-10 finish, and he ultimately ended the race in 20th place. Afterward, Truex Jr. didn’t hide his frustration with the aggressive driving displayed by several competitors during the race’s final moments. “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,” Truex Jr. remarked, as reported by Newsweek.
Denny Hamlin echoed Truex Jr.’s sentiments, adding that the lack of respect and accountability among drivers has become an ongoing issue in NASCAR, contributing to the frustrations experienced by Truex Jr. and other veteran drivers.
Truex Jr.’s recent performances have not lived up to his standards. Since his eighth-place finish at Pocono earlier this year, he has struggled to finish better than 20th in subsequent races. As he heads into the upcoming race at Bristol, Truex Jr. finds himself outside the top 12 in the playoff standings. He’ll need a strong performance, likely a top-five finish, to advance to the next round of the playoffs and keep his championship hopes alive in what could be his final full season in NASCAR.
