No longer full time drivers, NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner Jimmie Johnson and recently retires Martin Truex Jr have thrown their names into the Daytona hat; hoping to drive fast enough to make the Daytona 500 field.
Both drivers will have to qualify for the race with Johnson driving the Legacy Motor Club number 84 car and Truex in the Tricon Garage number 56 car.
If he makes the race, it will be Daytona 500 start number 22 for Johnson; a two time 500 winner. He also plans on running the longest race of the year – the Coca Cola 600 – at Charlotte Motor Speedway; a place he has won four times.
Johnson spoke on entering the races saying, “I’m thrilled to be returning to competition in 2025,. These two races hold a special place in my heart, and I’ve always loved the energy and excitement that surrounds them. The Daytona 500 is a crown jewel of NASCAR – there’s nothing like it. Charlotte Motor Speedway is where I made my first start in the NASCAR Cup Series, and it’s always felt like home to me.”
With 698 starts, Johnson will join the 700 Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Currently there are just 20 drivers who have at least 700 starts. Kyle Busch was the last driver to reach 700 starts last year.
Martin Truex Jr is reunited with longtime crew chief Cole Pearn for his first post retirement race attempt and longtime sponsor Bass Pro Shops on the car.
Truex spoke on attempting to run the Daytona 500 saying, “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 helping put this together to go have some fun, and I can’t think of a better time to go win the thing for Johnny Morris.”
This will be Truex’s 21 Daytona 500 race attempt, but has yet to win the race.