As Truex hits the track one final time as a fulltime driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, a familiar look will adorn his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Camry that will take him and his fans back to where it all started. When Truex made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 31, 2004, it was also the debut of now longtime partner Bass Pro Shops in NASCAR’s top series with the New Jersey native. While the race itself did not turn out how he had hoped when an engine issue forced him to the sidelines early, the scheme from that day will always be remembered by Truex and Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris. This weekend at Phoenix, Truex will run that scheme one final time as a fulltime participant in the Cup Series, which will no doubt bring back memories of where it all began.
The Finale: Following last weekend’s penultimate race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Truex arrives at Sunday’s 2024 season finale and final race of his fulltime Cup Series career in the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE 10th in the driver standings.
Ironman: Truex will be making his 684th consecutive Cup Series start in Sunday’s Season Finale 500k at Phoenix. While it’s the longest streak among current drivers by a significant margin, Truex also sits among NASCAR’s all-time greats as far as consecutive starts go. Truex started the streak on Feb. 19, 2006, when he started the Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Only five drivers have amassed more consecutive starts than Truex – Rusty Wallace (697), Bobby Labonte (704), Kevin Harvick (784), Ricky Rudd (788), and the all-time record holder, Jeff Gordon (797).
— Joe Gibbs Racing —