HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19:  Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, celebrates with crew chief Cole Pearn and the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, celebrates with crew chief Cole Pearn and the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr. set to run 2025 Daytona 500 with Cole Pearn as crew chief

Martin Truex Jr. confirmed Wednesday that he will seek to make next year’s Daytona 500 and have former crew chief Cole Pearn atop the pit box.

Truex said that his car number will be either No. 78 or No. 56. He won the 2017 Cup championship with the No. 78. He has used the No. 56 throughout his career and calls that “my number.”

Truex said at NASCAR Cup playoff media day that a deal is “all but done” for him to drive in the 2025 Daytona 500.

As for the car, Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, said Wednesday: “23XI and (Joe Gibbs Racing) are kind of looking at the options and figuring out what’s the best avenue for it. Certainly, having Martin in the 500 is going to be exciting.”

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