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Martin Truex Jr. is regarded as one of the top NASCAR drivers, with the 2017 Cup Series championship and two Xfinity Series championships, winning it in 2004 and 2005. Despite an impressive NASCAR career overall, there’s one achievement that has eluded Truex: a Daytona 500 victory.
Truex, who had retired from full-time racing in NASCAR, has never won the Daytona 500. He came close several times, with his best finish being a runner-up in 2016, and made 20 starts to win the “Great American Race.” In 20 appearances at the Daytona 500, Truex Jr. earned one top-5 and three top-10 finishes.
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In 2016, driving the #78 Toyota for Furniture Row Racing, Martin Truex Jr. narrowly lost to Denny Hamlin in the closest finish in Daytona 500 history. Hamlin edged him out by 0.010 seconds — a margin so tight that it had to be reviewed multiple times to confirm.
The 44-year-old Mayetta, New Jersey, native’s racing style, often focused on consistency, didn’t always align with the chaotic nature of superspeedway racing. There were some instances in his career when he was running well, but luck didn’t favor him, and he was also involved in some multiple wrecks at Daytona.
Even though the 2017 NASCAR champion hasn't hoisted the Harley J. Earl trophy, he will remain one of NASCAR’s top drivers. His 34 career wins at the NASCAR Cup Series reflect his skill and consistency.
Martin Truex Jr. has plans to run 2025 Daytona 500
During the 2024 NASCAR season, Martin Truex Jr. confirmed that he will attempt to run the Daytona 500 in 2025 with the return of former crew chief Cole Pearn. He's likely to drive #78 or #56.
Even though he has retired from full-time racing, he has plans to drive some races as a part-time driver next year.
“I still love racing. I still love driving cars. Just ready to not travel 40 weekends a year. That’s the only thing,” Truex Jr. said (via NBC Sports).
Ahead of the 2024 season, Truex Jr. had expressed a strong desire to win a Daytona 500 before his retirement.
Truex Jr. said (via FOX Sports):
“Obviously I want it. It would be great. It would be amazing. I don't know if I'd be completely disappointed with my career as a whole if someday, when I retire and look back, I'm like, ‘Ah, I didn't win that race.'”
