Martin Truex Jr. reflects on career ahead of 20th Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – This weekend could be the final Daytona 500 in the career of Martin Truex Jr. 

Or not?

The driver of the No. 19 car has hinted at retirement before but refuses to say when. That answer did not change when asked if his secrecy about retirement would continue in 2024.  

“Yeah, probably,” Truex said. “I have no idea what I’m doing next year.”

Truex will start his 20th Daytona 500 this Sunday. It kicks off his 19th full-time NASCAR Cup Series season.

Truex won three races in 2023 and earned 9 top-5 finishes and 17 top-10s.

2023 was also the third time in the last five seasons he has won at least three races. That includes a seven-win season in 2019.

The 2017 Cup Series champion and 2023 regular-season champion can still race at this level. 

If 2024 is it for Truex, he seems confident the next generation for the sport is in good hands with a talented group of young drivers following in his generation’s footsteps. 

“I think there is a lot of talent, a lot of young talent around which is great,” Truex said. “I think the sport is in a great place. And there is going to be a lot of competitive drivers for a long time to come. They are good for the sport – hard-nosed racers that get it. The family names are still going for a lot of them. It’s been fun to see the change over the years with the older drivers going out and the younger drivers coming in.”

Truex has come close to winning the biggest race on the schedule. Back in 2016, Truex came in second to now-teammate Denny Hamlin in the closest finish in Daytona 500 history. 

“I still don’t appreciate it to be honest,” Truex said. “Every time we drive into the tunnel here the picture is on the wall. Every time we come to Daytona it is something that gets talked about, so it is unfortunate to be on the wrong side of it, but a cool moment to be a part of.”

Daytona has been a track that Truex has done okay at historically. The former Cup champion has three top-5 finishes and six top-10s in 37 Cup Series races at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. 

When asked Wednesday whether he would be okay retiring without a win in the Great American Race, Truex once again didn’t give the clearest of answers. 

“I really haven’t thought much about it,” Truex said. “There has been a lot of great drivers that haven’t won it. As we sit here, I can’t really imagine not getting it done. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Truex comes into the 2024 Cup season as the oldest driver in the field. At age 43, he is one of a very small handful of leftovers from his generation. The 43-year-old driver didn’t consider his age when asked if his age has increased his level of urgency to win. 

“No, I don’t think so,” Truex said. “I’m still enjoying myself, and I’m still competitive. Just want to win more races, that is what it boils down to. Last year we were able to do that, and that was great. Just want to stay competitive and want to stay on top.”

It will be an uphill battle for Truex in NASCAR’s biggest race on Sunday. The No. 19 car will start 27th.

The green flag set to fly just after 2:30 P.M. EST. Catch the race on FOX, MRN affiliates and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.