Martin Truex Jr., one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, has reaffirmed his plans to participate in the 2025 Daytona 500, despite stepping away from full-time competition at the end of the 2024 season. However, in a surprising twist, Truex revealed that his highly anticipated entry in the “Great American Race” will not be with 23XI Racing, leaving fans and industry insiders speculating about his future team.
Truex Confirms Daytona 500 Plans
During a media session preceding the NASCAR Cup Series Awards Ceremony, the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion shared his excitement about staying connected to the sport, albeit in a limited capacity.
“Racing-wise, I mean, I’m going to do the Daytona 500 and looking forward to running some [NASCAR] Xfinity Series cars here and there, just to have fun and see how it goes,” Truex explained. “I really enjoy that style of car—low downforce and the older setups we raced. It’ll be fun to get back to that, but beyond that, I have hobbies I want to catch up on, and I’m excited about that too.”
Truex’s decision to participate in select races reflects his passion for racing while allowing him more flexibility to explore other interests.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, had previously indicated that Truex would be welcome to drive for the team in select events, including the 2025 Daytona 500. However, Truex dashed those expectations, confirming that his Daytona 500 entry will not involve a 23XI Racing Toyota.
“No, it’s not,” Truex said when asked about 23XI Racing’s involvement. “I’m not sure what they’re doing, honestly. Kind of up in the air. I just told Gibbs, JGR is doing it somehow, so we’ll see.”
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), Truex’s longtime team, remains central to his plans, but logistical challenges complicate the situation. NASCAR rules prohibit JGR from fielding a fifth full-time entry in the Cup Series, as the team’s four Chartered entries are already locked in with Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs.
To facilitate Truex’s Daytona 500 participation, JGR may need to collaborate with another organization. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LMC), a Toyota-backed team with two full-time entries and a part-time car, emerges as a potential partner. Alternatively, a new Toyota-backed team could be formed to field a one-off entry, or Truex could race under another manufacturer’s banner—a scenario that would add even more intrigue to his 2025 plans.
While his Daytona 500 plans remain uncertain, Truex also expressed interest in competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, though he has yet to finalize specific tracks or events.
“No specific tracks yet,” he admitted. “I don’t even know where they’re going or not going. So, I’ll go look at the schedule.”
Truex’s enthusiasm for the Xfinity Series stems from his success in the early 2000s, when he secured back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005 before transitioning to the Cup Series.
Martin Truex Jr. steps away from full-time competition with an impressive resume: 34 Cup Series victories, 147 top-five finishes, and 291 top-10s in 693 career starts. His accolades include the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship and the Xfinity Series titles that launched his career.
As Truex prepares for a new chapter, his decision to remain involved in NASCAR—albeit on a limited schedule—ensures that fans will continue to see his signature style on the track. However, his parting with 23XI Racing adds a layer of intrigue to his next moves, particularly regarding his Daytona 500 entry.
What’s Next?
The uncertainty surrounding Truex’s 2025 Daytona 500 plans will undoubtedly be a major storyline in the coming months. Whether he partners with LMC, joins a new Toyota-backed venture, or explores opportunities with another manufacturer, one thing is certain: Martin Truex Jr. is not done making his mark on NASCAR.
For now, fans can only speculate and wait for further developments as Truex navigates the next phase of his illustrious career.
