By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Nightmares kept one awake. A new team kept the other a-wondering.
The stressful week for Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr., weighing the reality of potentially missing Sunday’s Daytona 500 for the first time in their illustrious careers, finally got a twist of the relief valve.
That came Wednesday night when both drivers qualified in on speed to make the Daytona 500, ditching the extra 24 hours of pressure before Thursday night’s Duel 150 qualifiers.
“After what I went through last year, I’m so thrilled. Oh my gosh,” Johnson said. “Very, very proud of everybody at Legacy Motor Club and the effort they put into this car and the evolution that we’ve been on through the end of 2024 to now.
“I’m very excited. I’m thankful to have Carvana on board. Shaq, we’re in the big show buddy! It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m thrilled.”
For Johnson, it will be his 22nd start in the 500, turning a speed of 180.785 mph. The seven-time Cup champion will have another shot at earning a third crown in the sport’s biggest race, this time as a car owner with Legacy Motor Club.
After barely racing his way into the 500 one year ago, Johnson was simply elated.
“What I went through last year was so frightening and I’m glad I don’t have to go through it again,” Johnson said. “I certainly respect this process and don’t envy the guys that have to race their way in. It’s so tough.”
Truex recently retired from full-time Cup racing last fall. And though the car he drove in the last six years of his career won the pole (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota), Truex brought home an equally fulfilling smile. He drove TRICON Garage to their first ever Cup Series start in their No. 56, turning a speed of 181.302 mph.
“Definitely a big relief,” Truex said. “You never know what can happen in the Duels – they can get crazy, something on pit road can get you in trouble.
“Great job to all of the guys – they worked their butts off on this car. They were sweating all afternoon, and luckily, we were able to put a good lap in. Thank you to Johnny [Morris] and everyone at Bass Pro for helping put this deal together.”
Truex re-teamed with Cole Pearn, the crew chief who manned his 2017 title with the now-defunct Furniture Row Racing. Truex gave credit to the team for succeeding on Day 1.
“All of the guys at TRICON and also at JGR, Toyota and TRD, I’m sure it’s a big deal for them,” he said. “Both cars that just locked in are Toyotas. Big night for them, and hopefully, we can have some fun the rest of the weekend.”
Johnson shared Truex’s praise of Toyota, who capped off the successful night with their first Daytona 500 pole with Chase Briscoe.
“From a teammate standpoint and also getting a Toyota in victory lane on Sunday afternoon is the most important thing so we’re off to a great start,” Johnson said.