Martin Truex Jr. and Cole Pearn reunite for Daytona 500

Martin Truex Jr. will return to NASCAR for the 2025 Daytona 500, marking his first race since retiring from full-time competition at the end of 2024. Truex will drive the No. 56 Toyota for Tricon Garage, making the team’s Cup Series debut in the “Great American Race,” scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET (FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

This marks a fresh chapter for Truex, who retired with 34 Cup Series victories, a 2017 championship, and two Xfinity Series titles from 2004-05. In his retirement announcement, Truex left the door open for select race appearances, including a potential return to the Daytona 500. Truex will be joined by his longtime crew chief, Cole Pearn, who will also come out of retirement to lead the pit crew for the Daytona race. Together, Truex and Pearn celebrated 24 wins and four Championship 4 appearances during their five seasons together, including the 2017 Cup Series title.

The team’s primary sponsor will be Bass Pro Shops, which has supported Truex since his Cup Series debut in 2004. The Johnny Morris-founded company has remained a long-time partner of Truex’s racing career.

Truex expressed his excitement about the opportunity: “It’s going to be a really cool deal to be able to work with Cole and have the number 56 again. I really appreciate everyone at Bass Pro Shops, Tricon, and Toyota for making this happen. I can’t think of a better time to go win the thing for Johnny Morris.”

Truex will be attempting to secure a spot in his 21st Daytona 500, a race he has never won despite coming close in 2016, when he finished second to Denny Hamlin by a mere 0.010 seconds. Tricon Garage will rely on technical support from Toyota affiliate Joe Gibbs Racing for their Cup Series debut.

David Gilliland, owner of Tricon Garage, spoke highly of the opportunity: “Having raced against Martin for many years, I can confidently say there’s no stronger competitor I’d want behind the wheel for our first Cup Series entry at the sport’s most prestigious race. I’ve had the privilege of sitting on the pole at Daytona, but my next goal is to celebrate in Victory Lane.”

Tricon Garage, which rebranded from David Gilliland Racing and switched to Toyota in 2023, will continue to field five full-time entries in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year, with returning drivers Corey Heim and Tanner Gray, as well as newcomers Toni Briedinger and Gio Ruggiero.

Truex’s Daytona 500 bid further extends his partnership with Toyota, which began in 2016 and has included the past six seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 team.