Sad departure: Martin Truex Jr has been suspended from all sports activities following…………….

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.

Martin Truex Sr., the father of former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. has died, Truex and his brother said in a statement Friday. He was 66.

“We are devastated by the loss of our father,” Martin Jr. and Ryan Truex said. “Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”

No details of Truex Sr.’s death were revealed.

Truex Sr. was a former driver in in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, where he made 15 starts from 1989 to 1998. His best finish was 12th at Nazareth Speedway in 1994. He retired early to advance the career of his two sons. His second son, Ryan, is the reserve and development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Truex Sr. was one of the owners of the commercial fishing company Sea Watch International.

The Friday announcement of Truex Sr.’s passing came one day after Truex Jr., who retired from full-time competition at the end of the season, announced he will enter next month’s Daytona 500 with TRICON Garage as the team attempts to make its Cup Series debut.

Truex Jr. will pilot the No. 56 Toyota Camry XSE in collaboration between TRICON and Joe Gibbs Racing. The car will be “open,” which means Truex is not guaranteed a spot in the field and will have to make “The Great American Race” via speed in time trials or one of two qualifying races.

Truex won the Cup championship in 2017 and retired at the end of last season with 34 career victories.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, will also attempt to make the field as part of a two-race Cup Series schedule that also includes the Coca-Cola 600. Assuming all goes to plan, Johnson will be making his 700th career Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Johnson has won the 600 four times.

NASCAR has four open spots in the 40-car field, but under a new rule announced last week, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves can be added as a 41st car if he doesn’t qualify through the traditional process.

Seven drivers have announced they intend to compete for the open spots, with at least two more expected.