Martin Truex Jr. reminisces about his initial visit to Daytona International Speedway as if it were just yesterday, and is amazed at how his life and NASCAR have changed since then.
Truex is in disbelief that he is about to participate in his 20th Daytona 500. His first appearance was in 2006 when he qualified for Dale Earnhardt Inc. He reflects on how much things have changed since then. In the early 2000s, he never expected to become a professional driver. Racing was simply a hobby for him.
At that time, Truex was a full-time driver for Chance 2 Motorsports in what is now the Xfinity Series. The Daytona 500 was only his second race in a NASCAR national series at the speedway. He recalls being shocked when he received a call to test a car for DEI. The experience of being at the track for the first time was overwhelming for him. He didn’t have to worry about working on the car or cleaning his firesuit. All he had to do was show up and drive. The contrast to his current mindset is striking. Now, his sole focus is on winning the race.
Despite 19 attempts, Truex has yet to win the Daytona 500. The closest he came was in 2016 when he finished just inches behind his Toyota teammate Denny Hamlin. It remains the closest finish in the history of the race.
This Sunday, Truex will be driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry in the 66th edition of the Daytona 500. He hopes to finally secure a victory in NASCAR’s most prestigious event. Truex’s career has already seen significant achievements, including two Xfinity Series championships and a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Truex believes he should have won more races during his time at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Michael Waltrip Racing. It was at Furniture Row Racing where he found success and ultimately became a champion. However, the teams he raced for faced their own difficulties. DEI went through turbulent times and eventually transformed into Earnhardt Ganassi Racing before disappearing entirely. Waltrip’s organization closed its doors following a race manipulation scandal. Furniture Row Racing ceased operations due to financial reasons.
Truex has been driving for Joe Gibbs Racing for six seasons and has achieved 15 victories with the team. He has found stability and support at JGR that he hasn’t experienced elsewhere. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a reliable organization and not have to worry about his future with the team.
Now, Truex’s only concern is winning the Daytona 500 before it becomes a race he no longer competes in.
According to the Source racer.com