Ryan Truex Bio
Ryan Matthew Truex (born March 18, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. In addition, he serves as a reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he has also made part-time starts in the NASCAR Cup Series aboard the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE. A native of New Jersey, Truex has built a respected career across NASCAR’s development and national series, earning two regional championships and a pair of Xfinity Series victories.
Born into one of NASCAR’s most recognizable racing families, Truex is the younger brother of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. He has carved out his own path through perseverance, overcoming injuries, limited sponsorship, and several team changes to become a steady presence in the garage area. His career is a story of patience, family legacy, and quiet determination on race day.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Matthew Truex was born on March 18, 1992, in Mayetta, New Jersey, a small community located in Ocean County. He grew up surrounded by racing, as the son of former Busch Series driver Martin Truex Sr. and the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr., who would later become one of NASCAR’s most successful competitors. From an early age, Truex was drawn to the sport, spending time around the family’s shop and attending races with his father and brother.
Truex attended Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, New Jersey, where he balanced his studies with an aggressive late-model racing schedule. As a teenager, he competed in local short tracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, earning a reputation as a smooth, consistent driver with strong race craft. His family’s deep connections in the sport opened early doors, but it was his own on-track results that earned him opportunities in NASCAR’s developmental ladder.
Path to NASCAR
Truex made his NASCAR Camping World East Series debut in 2008 at Stafford Motor Speedway, driving the No. 8 car for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. The following year, as a seventeen-year-old high school student, he captured the 2009 NASCAR Camping World East Series Championship. In an eleven-race season, he posted three wins, including victories at Watkins Glen, Thompson, and Lime Rock Park, along with eight top-five finishes.
In 2010, Truex successfully defended his East Series title, winning his second consecutive Camping World East Series championship in a Michael Waltrip-owned Toyota. The back-to-back titles established him as one of the top young talents in NASCAR’s development pipeline and set the stage for his transition to the national touring series. His success in the East Series remains one of the defining achievements of his early career.
Ryan Truex Career
Early Career (2008–2010)
Truex’s first major foray into NASCAR’s national series came in 2010, when he competed in six NASCAR Nationwide Series events. He made his debut at Gateway International Raceway on July 17, 2010, beginning what would be a long journey through the sport’s middle tiers. His East Series championships had positioned him as a rising star, and he was expected to run for Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year in 2011 with Michael Waltrip Racing.
However, the 2011 plan was complicated when motocross stunt performer Travis Pastrana ran the No. 99 for seven races. Truex eventually skipped the rookie battle and ran ten consecutive Nationwide Series races, but a sudden surgery forced him out of the car at Texas Motor Speedway. Team owner Michael Waltrip and his brother Martin Truex Jr. split time in the ride during his absence, an experience that highlighted both the challenges and the family support that have shaped his career.
NASCAR Nationwide/Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2012–2019)
In 2012, Truex returned to action with a limited Nationwide Series schedule split between Joe Gibbs Racing, Tommy Baldwin Racing, and RAB Racing. On June 2, 2012, he earned a career-best finish of second at Dover International Speedway driving for JGR. Racing shortly after an emergency appendectomy, he started from the pole, his first career Nationwide Series pole, and led late before being caught in lapped traffic by Joey Logano. The performance announced his arrival as a contender in the series.
After brief stints with various teams and a frustrating 2015 season without a ride, Truex joined Biagi-DenBeste Racing in 2016 and later moved to the Truck Series with Hattori Racing Enterprises. By 2018, he had signed with Kaulig Racing to drive the flagship No. 11 Xfinity Series car, posting one top-five and eleven top-ten finishes while finishing twelfth in points. In 2019, after being replaced at Kaulig, Truex cold-texted team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and landed a part-time ride at JR Motorsports, where he tied his career-best finish of second at Phoenix Raceway.
Niece Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing Era (2020–Present)
Truex returned to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2020, signing a six-race deal with Niece Motorsports beginning at Texas Motor Speedway. After running nine races that year with a best finish of twelfth, he upgraded to a full-time schedule with the team for the 2021 season, solidifying his place as a consistent front-runner in the series.
In 2022, Truex returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a part-time basis, driving the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18. He returned to the renumbered No. 19 in 2023 and scored his first career Xfinity Series victory at Dover Motor Speedway, the very site of his brother Martin’s first Cup Series win in 2007. Martin won the Cup race two days later, making them the fifth set of brothers to win on the same race weekend. For 2024, Truex continued to run part-time for JGR, alternating between the No. 19 and No. 20, and captured his second victory of the season in the Daytona summer race. He also made a return to Sam Hunt Racing, driving their No. 26 car at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Driving Style and Strengths
Truex is known for his smooth, patient driving style and his ability to capitalize on long-run pace. He has consistently performed well on intermediate tracks, with Dover standing out as a signature venue where he has earned multiple wins. His race craft and willingness to wait for the right moment have made him a respected teammate and a reliable option for teams needing a veteran presence in the garage.
Notable Races and Milestones
Truex’s most memorable moments include his 2009 and 2010 Camping World East Series championships, his emotional first Xfinity Series win at Dover in 2023 alongside his brother’s Cup victory the same weekend, and his dramatic 2024 win at Daytona. His career-best second-place finishes at Dover in 2012 and Phoenix in 2019 also stand out as defining performances in his national series career.
Ryan Truex Career Wins
Ryan Truex has compiled a diverse racing resume that includes two NASCAR Camping World East Series championships and two NASCAR Xfinity Series victories. His regional titles came consecutively in 2009 and 2010, while his national series wins arrived in 2023 and 2024, marking the culmination of years of perseverance through injuries, team changes, and limited opportunities.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Truex scored his first career Xfinity Series victory at Dover Motor Speedway in 2023, the same weekend his brother Martin won the Cup Series race at the same track. He added a second Xfinity Series win in 2024 at the Daytona summer race while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Both victories came during part-time schedules, underscoring his efficiency and ability to deliver when given competitive equipment.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Truex has been a consistent top-ten finisher, including a full-time season with Niece Motorsports in 2021. His regional accomplishments remain a cornerstone of his legacy, with three wins during his 2009 East Series championship run at Watkins Glen, Thompson, and Lime Rock Park. He has also posted multiple top-five finishes in the Xfinity Series, including runner-up results at Dover and Phoenix.
Ryan Truex Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Truex comes from one of NASCAR’s most prominent racing families. He is the son of former Busch Series driver Martin Truex Sr. and the younger brother of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., a two-time Busch Series champion. Racing has been a central part of the Truex family for decades, with multiple generations competing across various levels of the sport.
Personal Life
A native of Mayetta, New Jersey, Truex continues to be closely connected to his family’s roots in the Mid-Atlantic racing scene. He has often credited his brother Martin and his late father as major influences on his career, and the brothers have shared several memorable race weekends together, including their historic 2023 sweep at Dover Motor Speedway.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ryan Truex is serving as a reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Cup and Xfinity Series teams. In the NASCAR Cup Series, he made his first start since 2014, substituting for Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota at Mexico City after Hamlin’s fiancée gave birth to their third child. Truex started 36th and finished 23rd in the race, providing steady support for the organization during a key stretch of the season.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truex made one start at Daytona, driving the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. His role as a trusted reserve driver for JGR continues to give him opportunities to contribute to one of NASCAR’s top organizations when needed. With his proven ability to step in and perform, Truex remains a valuable asset to multiple teams in 2025.
Looking ahead, Truex is expected to continue balancing his reserve duties with Joe Gibbs Racing alongside part-time opportunities in the Xfinity Series. His experience and familiarity with Toyota’s equipment make him a natural fit for JGR’s program, and his recent Xfinity Series wins suggest he remains capable of contending whenever he gets behind the wheel.