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Martin Truex Jr. is determined to win the elusive Daytona 500 trophy with retirement on the horizon

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 1/28/24

Joe Gibbs Racing’s veteran driver, Martin Truex Jr., is one of the few Cup Series champions who has never won the Daytona 500. The 43-year-old is in the final chapters of his racing career. He nearly retired twice in the Next-Gen era before deciding against it, and going into 2024; he is unsure whether he wants to continue in the top tier or not.

While recently talking during the NASCAR production days, Trues Jr. pointed out that he still wants to win the prestigious race before retiring. He admits that if he can pull off a win in 2024 or potentially the next season, it would be one of the biggest triumphs of his career, which so far has seen him secure 34 wins from 642 starts in the top tier.

Martin Truex Jr. also pointed out that he doesn’t know how he would feel if he retired without winning the iconic race. Former champions like Tony Stewart have admitted that he was ready to give up one of his Cup titles for a Daytona 500 win.

Obviously, I want it. It'd be great, be amazing. I don't know if I'd be completely disappointed with my career as a whole if someday when I retire, and I look back and I'm like, ‘Ah, I didn't win that race.' I don't know if that is a big deal to me or not. I still have opportunities to get it done, so I try not to think about it. But it'd be huge to win, that's for sure. Martin Truex Jr. told Fox Sports.

Martin Truex Jr. isn’t the only active Cup champion without a Daytona 500 win

Seven NASCAR Cup series champions are racing in the top tier in 2024; only three have won the Daytona 500. Both of them are former teammates, 2012 Champion Brad Keselowski and two-time champion (2018 and 2022) Joey Logano.

RCR’s Kyle Busch, who has won the Cup title twice (2015 and 2019), hasn’t won the Daytona 500. Hendrick Motorsports’ championship-winning duo of Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021) hasn’t also won the Great American Race.

Reigning champion Ryan Blaney also has a dry spell at the Daytona 500. The only part-time Cup winner racing right now is seven times Champion Jimmie Johnson. The LMC owner-driver has won the Daytona 500 twice.