Truex Jr. Confirms Daytona 500 Plans With Longtime Crew Chief Cole Pearn

Martin Truex Jr. has confirmed his plans to join the 2025 Daytona 500 with longtime crew chief Cole Pearn at his side. This reveal, shared during the Cup Series Playoff Media Day at the Charlotte Convention Center, is huge news for fans and competitors alike.

Speaking to Kelly Crandall of RACER/ESPN, Truex confirmed: “It’s going to happen.

“Pearn said he would do it.”

Truex Jr.’s return is particularly momentous given his retirement from full-time racing. The 2017 Cup Series champion collaborated with Pearn from 2015 through 2019, achieving remarkable success, including their triumphant 2017 championship run with Furniture Row Racing.

Their reunion for the Daytona 500 will bring plenty of nostalgia, plus a bit of pressure.

This announcement also enjoys support of figures within the NASCAR world.

Denny Hamlin, Truex’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, has been a vocal advocate for Truex’s part in the Daytona 500.

“I’ve told him that I will have his Daytona 500 car ready immediately,” confirmed Hamlin. “…100%, I would [add a car to 23XI Racing for Daytona if Truex wanted to race]. 100% I would do that,” he reiterated.

Truex’s current focus, however, remains on the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Ranked as the 16th and final seed, he narrowly made the cut, surpassing Chris Buescher by a mere six points. Despite an uncharacteristically winless season, Truex is determined to capitalize on this opportunity.

His race at Darlington, which ended prematurely after only two laps due to a collision with Ryan Blaney, made it a difficult end to the regular season for the driver.

The contrast with his 2023 season couldn’t be starker. Back then, Truex entered the postseason with three wins and 36 playoff points. In comparison, this season has seen him gain only three playoff points. A troubling trend of finishing 24th or worse in nine of the last twelve races, including a five-race stretch outside the top 20, further illustrates the obstacles that have made his racing career very difficult.

NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Southern 500 At Darlington Raceway Results

1. Chase Elliott – Running
2. Ryan Preece – Running
3. Austin Cindric – Running
4. Brad Keselowski – Running
5. Austin Dillon – Running
6. Bubba Wallace – Running
7. Todd Gilliland – Running
8. Daniel Suárez – Running
9. Alex Bowman – Running
10. Ty Gibbs – Running
11. Harrison Burton – Running
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – Running
13. Zane Smith – Running
14. Erik Jones – Running
15. John H. Nemechek – Running
16. Shane Van Gisbergen – Running
17. Justin Haley – Running
18. Michael McDowell – Running
19. Daniel Hemric – Running
20. William Byron – Accident
21. Josh Berry – Accident
22. Noah Gragson – Accident
23. Carson Hocevar – Accident
24. Kaz Grala – Running
25. Timmy Hill – Steering
26. Martin Truex Jr – Accident
27. Ryan Blaney – Accident