“You Never Know”: Martin Truex Jr Sparks Doubts Over Daytona 500 Return in 2024 Amid Denny Hamlin’s Legal Feud Against NASCAR

There are just 4 more races left in Martin Truex Jr’s full-time Cup Series career as the driver plans to retire. There is nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with the family, especially after having achieved a Cup Series title. So, Truex Jr can retire with a happy heart. Still, while he has all his goals met for his career, his final season has been winless. With 47 races without a win, it looks like he isn’t going to enjoy his final season unless he turns things around.

Although Martin Truex Jr did not win a race this year, he showed consistency that got him into the top 16 in the playoffs. Now that there are 3 races left, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran still has a chance to win a race. If he doesn’t manage to win in 2024, he still does have a chance next year, as he is set to race in the Daytona 500 that kicks off in 2025. As of now, MTJ doesn’t have a car for the Daytona race; however, his teammate Denny Hamlin did mention giving him a 23XI Racing ride. But with the lawsuit against NASCAR for the charter deal, MTJ is looking less positive about getting a ride next year.

Martin Truex Jr doubts his chances of racing in the 2025 Daytona 500

Martin Truex Jr didn’t have the best race at the Roval as he finished 21st, but now, with just 4 more races left, he has a chance to surprise the world with a win. With the 2024 South Point 400 up now, the retiring JGR driver can pull off a win as the upcoming tracks are more conventional circuits where he does quite well. Before heading into the race, Bob Pockrass caught Truex Jr for a quick interview, and that’s where they discussed his seat for the Daytona 500.

Speaking of races that the driver has planned for next year, Martin Truex Jr told Bob Pockrass, “So far, I have one [race planned], so I don’t know.” MTJ brought up his Daytona situation, saying, “I don’t own a car, so it’s going to depend on a lot of people to figure out. So, yeah, I don’t know. Hopefully, a couple of Xfinity races and the Daytona 500.” Despite the doubts, the fact that Truex Jr wants to race more than just the Daytona 500 does come as good news for his fans.

Pockrass was curious to know how Truex Jr would find a car for himself next year as he asked, “As far as I know. You know, it’s like, do you ask? Are you like, ‘Okay, unless they say something different?’” And well, everyone remembers Denny Hamlin offered him a 23XI Racing car. Especially with the team planning on adding a new car to their team, there couldn’t be a better way to inaugurate the car than to let MTJ take its wheel for the first race.

However, as the anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports continues, there is uncertainty that the team will have a charter to race in NASCAR next year. Based on that, Martin Truex Jr told Pockrass, “Yeah. I mean, as far as I know, it’s all still going. So, I think we’re good. You never know. These days, things change in a hurry. There’s a lot going on, like you said, so I feel confident. I have a contract, so that’s a good sign, right?”

While there are talks about MTJ’s races for next season, let’s not forget that the South Point 400 is upon us.

Martin Truex Jr’s qualifier results for the 2024 South Point 400