NASCAR Rumors: Martin Truex Jr. expected to drive for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing at 2025 Daytona 500

Martin Truex Jr. is set to retire from full-time NASCAR racing after the end of this season but is reportedly planning to return for the 2025 Daytona 500. According to rumors, he will join Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team for the inaugural race.

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, shared his thoughts on Truex Jr.’s future during the playoff media day. When asked about how often we might see Truex Jr. next year, Hamlin responded “Three times.”

Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass also suggested that Truex Jr. might be seen with 23XI Racing but Hamlin did not confirm the rumors.

"I see what you're doing there, Bob," Hamlin responded.

Truex Jr., who won the Cup Series Championship in 2017, is wrapping up his final season with Joe Gibbs Racing. However, two weeks ago, the 44-year-old also shared his plans to return for the Daytona 500 next year with former crew chief Cole Pearn. Truex Jr. and Pearn had a successful run together at Furniture Row Racing, where they won many races and the 2017 Cup Series title.

Truex Jr. also responded to the above question and said he definitely plans to race once and might drive in a few other races as well in 2025.

"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 mentioned.

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"Crazy how these races always end up like this" - Martin Truex Jr. after Sunday's race at Watkins Glen

Martin Truex Jr. was left frustrated after Sunday's playoff race at Watkins Glen International. He started 18 points behind the playoff cutline before Watkins Glen but had a strong start with a second-place qualifying finish and winning the first stage.

However, the final laps at Watkins Glen were chaotic. Truex Jr.'s race went downhill when Todd Gilliland's move to overtake Kyle Larson at a restart stacked the field and caused Truex Jr. to hit the wall. He dropped from a seemingly certain top-10 position and finished in 20th place.

After the race, Truex Jr. was seemingly angry about drivers' aggressive driving during the late 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,” Truex said (via Newsweek).

Denny Hamlin also supported Truex Jr.’s comments and blamed a lack of respect and accountability among drivers.

Martin Truex Jr. has not finished better than 20th since his eighth-place finish at Pocono this year. He will go into the Bristol race outside the top 12 and needs to finish in the top 5 in the next race to move on to the next playoff round.