Martin Truex Sr., father of Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and national series regular Ryan Truex, died on January 17th, 2025. Truex Sr. was a frequent competitor in the Busch North Series throughout the 1990s, where he raced General Motors machinery under the NASCAR Chevy, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile banners.
Truex Sr.’s family confirmed the news on social media, stating, “We are devastated by the loss of our father (Martin Truex Sr.). Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”
Truex Sr. made 135 starts the Busch North Series, which has evolved into the ARCA Menards Series East that still runs today. Truex Sr. earned one victory during his tenure, driving the No. 56 Oldsmobile to the win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the 1994 season. He also competed in the Busch Series – now Xfinity Series – in 15 events from 1989 to 1998, earning a best finish of 12th place in the No. 58 NASCAR Chevy. Ultimately, he retired from motorsports to support the 19-year-old Truex Jr. as he pursued his own career in motorsports in 2000.
Outside of racing, Truex Sr. owned and operated a wholesale seafood business in New Jersey. His family did not provide details regarding his death.
Truex Jr. himself retired from fulltime competition upon conclusion of the 2024 Cup Series season. He is the 2017 champion in the division. Truex Sr. was able to attend his son’s final fulltime race in Phoenix in November 2024. However, while Truex Jr. is no longer a fulltime Cup Series entry, he will attempt to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500 driving the No. 56 Toyota TRD Camry fielded by Tricon Garage, taking his father’s number to the track once more.
Ryan Truex, meanwhile, has made numerous starts in the Xfinity and Truck Series over the past few years without securing a fulltime ride of his own. He boasts recent Xfinity Series victories at Dover and Daytona, although he was driving a Toyota race car during each of them.
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RIP