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Martin Truex Jr. will pause his retirement and attempt to qualify for next month's Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage, the team announced Thursday.
Truex, 44, retired from full-time racing after the 2024 season. The 2017 Cup Series champion collected 34 wins and 291 top-10 finishes across 21 years on NASCAR's top circuit.
Tricon Garage confirmed that Truex will be behind the wheel of the No. 56 Toyota sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, a longtime sponsor for the New Jersey-born driver.
"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," team owner and former driver David Gilliland said. "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."
Truex has never won the Daytona 500 in 20 previous attempts, finishing runner-up to Denny Hamlin in 2016 by just 0.010 seconds.
In order to make the field for the Feb. 16 running of the "Great American Race," Truex will have to qualify through the Daytona Duels on Feb. 13.
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Why the Championship 4 Format No Longer Works for NASCAR
The checkered flag has fallen on what might be the last Championship 4 weekend we’ll ever see, and frankly, it couldn’t come soon enough. What happened at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday wasn’t just heartbreaking. It was a perfect example of everything wrong with NASCAR’s current playoff system. Denny Hamlin had that championship in his hands. Three seconds ahead with five laps to go, driving the race of his life when it mattered most. Then William Byron’s tire went flat, the caution flew, and everything Hamlin had earned over 306 laps got wiped away in an instant. That’s not racing determining a champion, that’s chaos masquerading as competition. The Heartbreak That Defines This Format The raw emotion after Sunday’s race told the whole story. Kyle Larson, despite winning his second Cup Series title, looked shell-shocked as he told reporters that “a large part of me feels really bad and sad” about how he claimed the championship. William Byron approached Hamlin on pit road, placing a hand on his shoulder to apologize for the flat tire that changed everything. Most telling of all was Hamlin’s devastated admission: “In this moment, I never want to race a car again.” These aren’t the words you hear after a fair fight. This is what happens when a format prioritizes manufactured drama over genuine competition. Hamlin dominated that race in a way that should have locked up the title in any reasonable championship system. Instead, he watched helplessly as a restart lottery decided his fate.The Championship 4 format was supposed to reward clutch performances in the biggest moments. Hamlin delivered exactly that until the format itself betrayed him. How Ford’s Strategy Exposed the System’s Flaws What made Sunday even more frustrating was watching Ford teams execute a perfectly legal but championship-altering strategy. With Toyota and General Motors staying out of the title fight between Hamlin and Larson, Ford teams saw their chance. They flooded the field with cars on fresh tires or no tires at all, turning what should have been a straightforward duel into a chaotic restart mess. Ford had zero interest in who won the championship. They wanted to win the race. So three Ford teams took different tire strategies, creating the traffic that allowed Larson to sail around the outside in turn one while Hamlin got boxed in behind struggling cars. This perfectly illustrates the fundamental problem with the Championship 4 format. The championship isn’t decided by the four best drivers racing each other. It’s decided by how 36 different drivers and teams choose to play their cards. Ford’s strategy was brilliant for their goals, but it had nothing to do with determining the most deserving champion. The Broader Pattern of Undeserving Champions Sunday’s chaos wasn’t an isolated incident. It’s become the norm under this format. Just look at the recent championship winners who’ve been crowned despite mediocre seasons. Joey Logano won his third title last year with the worst average finish of any Cup Series champion in history. That’s no mistake. That’s a feature of a system that rewards getting hot for four races instead of sustained excellence. The Championship 4 format consistently produces these hollow victories. Drivers can sleepwalk through the regular season, catch lightning in a bottle for the playoffs, and suddenly they’re champions. Meanwhile, drivers like Hamlin, who show consistent excellence, have their hopes dashed by random cautions and restart chaos. This isn’t about taking anything away from drivers like Larson, who would be a deserving champion in almost any other format. It’s about a system that creates awkward moments in which winners feel guilty about their championships and runners-up question whether they want to keep racing. Beyond the Cup Series: Chaos Everywhere The problem wasn’t limited to Sunday’s Cup race either. The Truck Series and Xfinity Series Championship 4 races showed the same flaws in action. Connor Zilisch collected 10 trophies during the regular season but lost the championship to Jesse Love, who had one great final run. Corey Heim turned a historic Truck Series season into a title thanks to restart magic. These drivers all deserved recognition for their seasons, but the format warped their stories into something unrecognizable. Love should be celebrated as a rising star with momentum heading into next year. Instead, he’s a champion based on one clutch performance, which somehow feels like both too much and not enough. Light at the End of the Tunnel The one silver lining in all this chaos? NASCAR finally seems ready to acknowledge the problem. After Logano’s particularly hollow 2024 championship, the sanctioning body formed a committee to explore changes to the playoff format. Reports suggest alterations are coming before the 2026 season begins. The next format won’t be perfect, nothing ever is in NASCAR. But anything that moves away from the Championship 4’s winner-take-all chaos will be an improvement. If NASCAR can find a way to reward season-long excellence while still creating compelling championship battles, they’ll have something worth celebrating. Racing Deserves Better Than This The emotions on Sunday perfectly captured why this format has to go. Hamlin’s devastation, Larson’s guilt, and Byron’s apology. None of this should have happened after a championship race. The best driver on the track that day should have won the title, period. NASCAR has always been about competition, but the Championship 4 format has turned the sport’s biggest race into a lottery. Drivers’ seasons shouldn’t be decided by random cautions, restart chaos, or strategic games played by teams with nothing to lose. Final Thoughts The checkered flag has fallen on this era of NASCAR championships. When the new format arrives, hopefully, it will restore some dignity to the process of crowning a champion. After what we witnessed at Phoenix, anything would be better than this.
Green Bay Packers Make Roster Change After Loss to Panthers
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after losing their dynamic tight end, Tucker Kraft, to an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the 2025 season. This devastating setback occurred during the team’s narrow 16-13 defeat to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Kraft, age 25, was injured midway through the third quarter while engaged in a routine blocking assignment. The severity became evident immediately as he required a cart to leave the field, signaling a serious issue for the promising player. With Kraft officially ruled out for the year, the Packers face a significant void in their offensive lineup. Team officials confirmed the news on Monday, prompting swift action to manage the roster implications. Prior to the injury, Kraft was enjoying a stellar third season with Green Bay. The ex-South Dakota State standout had amassed 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards, and six touchdowns across eight contests.His momentum was building, highlighted by a standout showing in Week 8. Kraft played a pivotal role in the Packers’ 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, hauling in seven passes for 143 yards and two scores. To accommodate Kraft’s placement on injured reserve, a roster spot has opened up. This development allows general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office to explore options for a new tight end, should they deem it necessary. In the immediate aftermath, Green Bay opted for a different adjustment. On Monday, the organization revealed the release of linebacker Kristian Welch through an official statement on their website. Welch, a former Iowa Hawkeye, had been part of the practice squad all season. He earned a promotion to the active roster for the Panthers game, marking his 2025 debut, only to be cut shortly after. No further transactions tied to Welch’s departure have been disclosed yet. The Packers continue to evaluate their depth chart amid these changes. Looking ahead, Green Bay stands at 5-2-1 following the recent loss. They aim to rebound in a high-stakes Monday Night Football clash on November 10 against the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET from the iconic Lambeau Field. This primetime showdown offers the Packers a chance to regroup without Kraft. Fans will watch closely as the team adapts to the absence of their breakout star in a crucial divisional push.
Cowboys receive significant boost with last-minute decision ahead of Monday Night Football showdown vs Cardinals
The Dallas Cowboys are about to take on the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football to close out Week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season. As always, the teams announced their inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff. For the Cowboys, the main takeaway lies at the safety position. One week after being down to one healthy safety, things are looking slightly better. Donovan Wilson is out again with a shoulder/elbow injury but Juanyeh Thomas is back after being listed as questionable on the final injury report. Thomas is the Cowboys' third-best safety and he's played well in limited playing time, to the point many believe he should be promoted to a starting role over Wilson. Over the last couple of weeks, Thomas dealt with migraines that affected his vision. Now, he is back. Though the Cowboys are still very banged up at safety, Thomas' return should go a long way in Week 9. Perhaps he will be tasked with covering standout tight end Trey McBride. In the last two weeks, McBride has 18 catches for 146 receiving yards and three touchdowns. If not, Thomas could help bracketing WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Either way, it's important he's on the field for tonight's game and I'd expect him to start. He may not be a star but Thomas back on the field is a big boost given the team's situation on defense. Full list of Cowboys' inactives for Week 9 vs Cardinals S Alijah Clark S Donovan Wilson OL Ajani Cornelius OL Hakeem Adeniji DT Mazi Smith RB Jaydon Blue WR Jonathan Mingo Other notes on Cowboys' inactives After Brian Schottenheimer made comments about Jaydon Blue's inconsistency, he's a healthy scratch. He's benched over Malik Davis. Starting center Cooper Beebe is back and ready to go. LB DeMarvion Overshown and CB Shavon Revel Jr. remain on Injured Reserve even though they're back at practice. LB Jack Sanborn isn't among the Cowboys' inactives because he was placed on Injured Reserve leading up to the game. Being down safeties Alijah Clark and Donovan Wilson leaves the team with very little depth at safety. Don't be surprised if Dallas works cornerbacks into the position. The battle at nose tackle continues. This time, it's seventh-round rookie Jay Toia taking over the position while Mazi Smith returns to healthy scratch status ahead of the NFL trade deadline. If Dallas can get any interest on their former first-round pick, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's moved. Easier said than done, however. Cardinals inactives This story was originally published in A to Z Sports Dallas Cowboys, as Cowboys receive significant boost with last-minute decision ahead of Monday Night Football showdown vs Cardinals. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
Every MLB offseason brings its share of blockbuster rumors and bold predictions, but some trade ideas actually make sense — for both sides. With free agency about to heat up and front offices reshaping rosters for 2026, Yardbarker MLB writers looked at one dream (but still realistic) trade target for every MLB team. From contenders looking for that final piece to rebuilders seeking a spark, these hypothetical moves blend star power with plausibility. Here’s how all 30 teams could swing a deal that transforms their outlook heading into next season (2025 records in parentheses). AL East Baltimore Orioles (75-87) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: The Orioles traded for ace right-hander Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season, and that worked well. Why not try to employ the same strategy with Skubal, an ace in his own right, as Baltimore looks to bounce back from a last-place finish? Skubal’s elite 2.21 ERA in 2025 would be a perfect fit atop the rotation. Boston Red Sox (89-73) | 2B/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: It’s unclear whether prospect infielders Kristian Campbell or Marcelo Mayer are the answer up the middle, but there’s no doubt that Donovan would be an established upgrade over both. The 2025 All-Star would bring positional versatility and solid offensive production (.772 career OPS) to a lineup that had trouble scoring at times. New York Yankees (94-68) | 1B/OF Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: New York could lose outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in free agency, so the Yankees theoretically have both of Harper's positions to fill this winter. The veteran’s left-handed swing is made for the Yankee Stadium right-field short porch, which could help him improve upon a 2025 season in which he produced an .844 OPS, the lowest since his rookie season in 2012. Tampa Bay Rays (77-85) | LHP Mackenzie Gore, Washington Nationals: Typically, the Rays trade pitchers who are young but increasingly expensive (LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tyler Glasnow and RHP Chris Archer). This time, though, it could make sense for Tampa to swing for the fences with Gore, who boasts immense strikeout upside (10.4 K/9 in 2025) and is controllable through the 2028 season. The All-Star southpaw could also thrive in the team's analytics-driven pitching lab. Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) | RHP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins: The Blue Jays nearly won the World Series, so they have a lot to look forward to. However, it wouldn’t hurt Toronto to replace members of its oldish rotation with someone like right-hander Ryan, whose 3.42 ERA in 30 starts with the Twins in 2025 should make him one of the top trade candidates of this offseason. — Seth Carlson AL West Athletics (76-86) | Infielder Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals: The A’s received virtually nothing from second and third in 2025. Former top prospect Zack Gelof should get another chance to prove himself, but the A’s do not have many options at third. Gorman, who hit 27 homers in 2023, may not cost much and could provide a respectable stopgap at the hot corner. Houston Astros (87-75) | IF/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: The Astros missed the postseason for the first time since 2016; the outfield was a key factor in that. Astros outfielders posted a .665 OPS, 25th in the majors. Donovan, who has predominantly played at second and left, would solve a black hole in the middle of the lineup and provide a needed left-handed hitter. Los Angeles Angels (72-90) | RHP Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds: The Angels and Reds line up perfectly as trade partners. The Angels have a logjam in the outfield with either Jo Adell or Taylor Ward expected to be traded during the offseason. Meanwhile, the Reds have plenty of pitching and need help in the outfield. Singer, who has one more year of team control left, would be the most likely Reds pitcher to be dealt. He would solidify the middle of L.A.'s rotation. Seattle Mariners (90-72) | 3B Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies: Because Eugenio Suarez is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Mariners will once again be looking for help at third. Bohm had been on the trading block during the 2024-25 offseason but remained in Philadelphia because no one would meet its price. Bohm hit just 11 homers and 18 doubles in 2025, crushing his trade value. Texas Rangers (81-81) | RHP Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rangers should have a solid top of the rotation with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. However, neither pitcher is a paragon of health. Keller has thrown at least 159 innings in each of the past four seasons and is under team control through 2028. He would be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm. — David Hill AL Central Chicago White Sox (60-102) | 1B Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox: The rebuilding White Sox made progress in 2025 but have many holes remaining. Acquiring a player such as Casas could be a perfect buy-low option while improving the power for a team that ranked 23rd in the majors with 165 homers. Cleveland Guardians (88-74) | RHP Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins: The Guardians need help in the lineup, but several top prospects are expected to make an impact in 2026. The same cannot be said for the rotation that is lacking a top-of-the-rotation arm. Cabrera finally put everything together for the Marlins in 2025 and is under team control through 2028. Miami has pitching depth, so Cabrera could be available. Detroit Tigers (87-75) | 3B Josh Jung, Texas Rangers: The Tigers need a third baseman and Jung could be the answer. The 2023 All-Star has seen his star dim over the past two seasons as he battled injuries and contact woes. Jung may need a change of scenery and could be what the Tigers need to get his brother, Jace, to tap into his potential. Kansas City Royals (82-80) | OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox: The outfield was one of the worst in the majors in 2025, ranking 29th with a .633 OPS. Duran may not be the player he was in 2024, but his ability to drive the ball into the gaps, excellent speed and stellar defense would be a perfect fit in Kauffman Stadium. Minnesota Twins (70-92) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The rotation disappointed in 2025 and sorely needs an ace. The Twins began to dismantle the roster at the 2025 trade deadline, so it's unlikely that pitchers Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan will be with Minnesota in 2026. Both will be expensive. — David Hill NL West Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) | RHP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays: The Diamondbacks had issues with the bullpen throughout 2025 (27th in the league with a 4.82 ERA) and it will likely be a point of emphasis for the team this offseason. Fairbanks totaled 27 saves last season and pitched a career-high 60.1 innings. There is a club option for $11 million that the Rays will likely pick up only if they can trade him. At 32, Fairbanks might be worth it for one season in the desert. Colorado Rockies (43-119) | RHP Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers: It’s a new day in Denver with a new GM coming soon. Colorado desperately needs starting pitching, especially an ace. The Rockies have a crowded outfield in terms of proven players and prospects, so they could work a deal with Milwaukee, a team that they have traded with, and secure a big arm. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) | OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians: After a year in which the Dodgers had to overlook some deficiencies in the outfield with Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernandez, landing someone like Kwan makes sense for the two-time defending champions. Kwan doesn’t strike out much (only 8.7 percent of the time in 2025), something the Dodgers needed when their offense sputtered in the postseason. San Diego Padres (90-72) | RHP Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins: Depending on what happens with pitchers Michael King and Dylan Cease, the Padres are going to need someone who can step in as a face of the rotation. Alcantara, 30, has a $19 million deal for 2026 and a $21 million team option for 2027, so he won’t come to San Diego cheap. However, the NL West will be another arms race in 2026, and Alcantara could be a fascinating addition for the Padres. San Francisco Giants (81-81) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: Adding a solid southpaw to the bullpen is rarely a bad move, and the 29-year-old Romero has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best lefties in the late innings. He’s controlled through arbitration through the 2026 campaign and has logged 57 holds over the past three seasons. Pitching is expected to be a priority for the Giants this offseason. — Kevin Henry NL East Atlanta Braves (76-86) | SS Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros: The former World Series MVP was drafted by the Braves out of high school in 2015 but chose not to sign. Perhaps a reunion is in order in Atlanta, which has desperately needed a true shortstop since the departure of Dansby Swanson during the 2022 offseason. The 28-year-old Pena was named an All-Star in 2025, batting .304 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI in 125 games. Miami Marlins (79-83) | 1B/OF Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals: Miami exceeded expectations in 2025 and, if they have a strong offseason, could be a sleeper contender for an NL wild-card spot in 2026. Before that happens, though, they must solve their first base conundrum by trading for Burleson, who can play there and in the outfield. Burleson, who will turn 27 on Nov. 25, posted a career-high .801 OPS with 18 homers and 69 RBI in 2025. New York Mets (83-79) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: Skubal, in line for his second straight AL Cy Young Award, would be a dream trade candidate for any team but especially owner Steve Cohen and the Mets. New York desperately needs a frontline starter after its pitching largely failed it in 2025. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66) | C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles: Longtime catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent and, despite entering his age-35 season in 2026, is expected to be a hot commodity on the open market. It’s clear the Phillies must get younger at the position, and acquiring the former No. 1 overall pick from Baltimore would be a solid way to secure their future at backstop and keep their competitive window open. Rutschman, who will turn 28 on Feb. 6, hasn't lived up to his draft pedigree but still has decent upside. Washington Nationals (66-96) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The Nationals are more than one piece from being competitive, so Washington’s focus should be who they can acquire in potential trades for left-hander MacKenzie Gore, 2B Luis Garcia Jr. and OF Robert Hassell III. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a wild divisional trade that would send Tong to the Nationals for Gore. — Lauren Amour NL Central Chicago Cubs (92-70) | RHP Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays: Chicago leaned heavily on veteran arms in its rotation, with 34-year-old Matthew Boyd anchoring the staff. Bieber, 30, joined the Blue Jays this season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP. With Chicago expected to be a playoff-level team in 2026, Bieber could be another experienced arm to help with a deep postseason run. Cincinnati Reds (83-79) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: The Reds need reliable back-end bullpen arms, and Romero offers late-inning experience. He became the Cardinals’ closer after the team dealt Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets. In 2025, Romero posted a 2.07 ERA, a career best in the big leagues, in 61 innings. Milwaukee Brewers (97-65) | 1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets: Milwaukee's lineup struggled to produce consistent power in 2025, finishing 22nd in MLB with 166 home runs. Alonso, who launched 38 home runs — leading all first basemen — would be an immediate upgrade. He also hit .272 and drove in 126 runs, the second most in the majors. Andrew Vaughn filled the role well after being traded to Milwaukee midseason, but Alonso would be the definitive No. 1 option. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91) | 2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays: The Pirates haven’t made much of a trade splash in recent offseasons, so dealing for a proven bat like Lowe would be smart. He hit .256 with 31 home runs in 2025, bringing power and veteran experience to a younger lineup. St. Louis Cardinals (78-84) | RHP Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres: The pitching staff lacked swing-and-miss stuff in 2025, finishing 29th in MLB in strikeouts. Cease delivered 215 strikeouts over 168 innings — sixth most in MLB — and led the majors with 11.52 strikeouts per nine innings. — Taylor Bretl
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