While he never made it to the “major leagues” of the Cup Series, Martin Truex Sr’s sons did. Truex Sr died January 17, 2025 at the age of 66. An official cause of death was not revealed as the family has asked for privacy during their time of grief.
The family released a statement saying, “we are devastated by the loss of our father (Martin Truex Sr.). Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”
Truex Sr was a veteran racer in the Busch North Series (what today is the ARCA Menards Series East) where he had 135 race starts with one win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1994 driving the number 56 car.
He found some success driving Modifieds in his home state of New Jersey.
Fellow racer Andy Santerre spoke on Truex Sr saying, “he was a gentleman racer, fun to race with. I don’t remember all my races, but I do remember that Martin Sr. beat me at New Hampshire in, I think, ’94 and I finished second, and I was as happy for him as I was to finish second – and I don’t think I’d won a race at that point.”
A commercial fisherman, Truex ran a wholesale seafood business; retiring to help his oldest son Martin Jr in his racing career.
Retiring from full time driving at the end of last season, son Martin Jr is making an attempt to run in the 2025 Daytona 500, driving the number 56 car in honour of his father.
He is survived by daughter Marsha and second generation racer sons Martin Jr and Ryan.
Feature photo credit: Martin Truex Jr. – the eventual winner of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in 2013.