Martin Truex Jr. reunites with old crew chief, sponsor for Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage

So, the rumors were true! Martin Truex Jr. is going to enter the 2025 NASCAR Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage with support from Joe Gibbs Racing. For his attempt, Bass Pro Shops returns to sponsor Truex and he will pilot the No. 56 Toyota Camry XSE. Most importantly, Cole Pearn is his crew chief.

We have known for months that Martin Truex Jr. was going to be in this race. We did not know who it was going to be with until rumors began to leak a week or two ago.

Bass Pro Shops on the car will be very familiar. Seeing the No. 56 car on the track will be interesting, though. There are so many open entries in the race now and that means multiple teams are going to go home early.

We’re going beyond the limits of the Truck Series.

TRICON will attempt the Daytona 500 in our @NASCAR Cup debut alongside @MartinTruex_Jr and @BassProShops ‼️ pic.twitter.com/FyevxKi2E0

— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) January 16, 2025

Tricon Garage is known for its work in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. They are the premier Toyota organization in the series. With an ownership team including former Cup driver David Gilliland, the organization has the right people in place to succeed.

“It’s going to be a really cool deal to be able to work with Cole and have the number 56 again,” said Truex Jr. via a team release. “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.” 

Seeing Truex and Pearn back together will be a lot of fun. They had a ton of success together in the Cup Series before Pearn stepped away from the sport.

Tricon Garage excited for Martin Truex Jr. Daytona 500

Entering the Daytona 500 as an open car will be difficult. Tricon Garage has no Cup Series experience, but they do have backing from JGR. That will help, but won’t guarantee them anything in terms of the Great American Race.

“This opportunity is a testament to the dedication of our entire organization and our partners at Toyota. 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,” said David Gilliland, partner, TRICON Garage.  

“As an open entry, we know the road ahead will be challenging, but I have no doubt that Martin will put us in the best position to succeed. I’ve had the privilege of sitting on the pole at Daytona, but my next goal is to celebrate in victory lane.” 

Is this the year that Martin Truex Jr. finally wins the Daytona 500? He will have to earn his way into the race first.