Martin Truex Jr.’s up 34 Cup Series victories and a title, and Ryan Truex’s three Xfinity Series race wins and counting. When Martin Truex Sr. passed away two weeks earlier, his heart must have been full of pride for his sons’ careers. The NASCAR Busch North Series veteran had scaled down his formidable racing days in the late 1990s to support his sons’ futures. Yet although he succeeded in his endeavor, his sons are reeling under their loss.
Shortly after Truex Sr.’s demise at 66 years old, the NASCAR community poured its condolences. Being the father of two glorious drivers is no mean feat. However, the Truex family is taking time to process the setback – and Ryan Truex opened up about his feelings and expectations, heading into a NASCAR season for the first time without his father’s presence.
Ryan Truex heads to Daytona with Truex Sr. on his mind
Rolling out words to the public after a heartbreaking loss is always difficult. But when you do, you know that you are finally making peace with it. Martin Truex Jr.’s brother Ryan has been around in motorsports for a long time, entering NASCAR as a full-time driver in 2021. However, his winning streak is a recent phenomenon. After a lone Dover Xfinity win in 2023, Truex backed it up with Daytona and a repeat Dover trophy in 2024. He can owe this all to his gearhead father, who was a mentor in the truest sense. Former Busch North champion Mike Olsen praised Martin Truex Sr. for his mentoring efforts: “He was a great racer himself.”
Many other NASCAR luminaries rushed to social media to express their kind words of support, including Dale Earnahrdt Jr. However, now the main family has also started to break its silence. Ryan Truex penned a heartfelt message on X: “Been a really tough few weeks losing our Dad unexpectedly. Just wanted to say thank you to all of the family, friends, NASCAR Community and fans for all of the kind words and condolences. It’s been amazing to hear all the stories about him and all the people he made a lasting impression with along the way. He was truly one of a kind, we all miss him already.”
Been a really tough few weeks losing our Dad unexpectedly. Just wanted to say thank you to all of the family, friends, NASCAR Community and fans for all of the kind words and condolences.
It’s been amazing to hear all the stories about him and all the people he made a lasting… pic.twitter.com/8uazH0TfEe
— Ryan Truex (@Ryan_Truex) February 1, 2025
Among 135 starts, Martin Truex Sr. owned a 1994 victory at New Hampshire. He also owned a thriving wholesale seafood business – Sea Watch International. These rich legacies now rest heavily in the hearts of his children – Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, and Marsha McVey. However, Ryan is determined for a solid tribute. Back in April 2023, Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Truex swept up the Dover doubleheader weekend in both Xfinity and Cup. This year they are aiming to do the same at Daytona. And Ryan is especially pumped up for paying this tribute to his father, writing on X: “Hoping we can get him a few trophies in Daytona!”
Martin Truex Jr. is also gearing up for the same job. And he may get it done, because of his father’s achievements on the racetrack.
One last tribute by Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Sr. may not have infiltrated NASCAR’s premier levels. Yet the Mayetta, New Jersey native was no stranger to a formidable racing attitude. He competed in the 15 Busch Grand National Series, now called the Xfinity Series. His best finish was a 12th-place effort at Nazareth in 1994. Truex Sr. had a likable driving style, and that earned him a place among his rivals’ good books. Four-time Busch North Champion Andy Santerre said, “He was a gentleman racer, fun to race with… Martin Sr. beat me at New Hampshire in, I think, ’94 and I finished second, and I was as happy for him as I was to finish second.”
Then Truex Sr. also received immense praise for carving out a fine racer out of his son. Mike Olsen remarked that Martin Truex Jr.‘s 2017 Cup Series championship and other laurels were no fluke. “Definitely the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, and Martin Sr. did a great job in bringing Martin Jr. into the ranks.” So what better way to uphold this rich legacy than a wonderful race tribute? Truex Jr. will fly his father’s familiar car number – No. 56 – on his TRICON Garage entry for the Daytona 500 this month. He may have retired from full-time racing last season, but Truex Jr. is now more motivated than ever to clinch that elusive Harley J. Earl trophy.
Currently, the Truex family is reeling under a difficult time. Yet both Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Truex are making the best of it – by looking forward to upholding their father’s legacy.
The post “Miss Him Already”: Martin Truex Jr.’s Brother Speaks Out Two Weeks After the Tragic Loss of Their Father appeared first on EssentiallySports.
