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Earnhardt Jr. applauds Truex decision to remain with DEI

By SceneDaily Staff

Friday, August 08, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images for NASCAR

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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he believes Martin Truex Jr.'s decision to return to Dale Earnhardt Inc. for at least one more season was the best for Truex  and the company.

Truex and Earnhardt Jr., who were teammates at the organization in 2006 and 2007, are close friends. Truex also drove for the Earnhardt Jr. and DEI-owned Chance 2 Motorsports in what is now the Nationwide Series in 2004 and 2005.

DEI picked up the option on Truex’s contract earlier this week, which puts him back in the seat of the No. 1 Chevrolet in 2009 but makes him a free agent beyond that.

“I think it was good for him,” said Earnhardt Jr., who drove the No. 8 DEI Cup car full time from 2000 to 2007 before leaving to compete for Hendrick Motorsports this season. “It gives DEI a time to further negotiate with him for the future and to align their key sponsors for the next several years. It gives Martin a real good look at what the landscape will be like next season for him. People will shuffle around to teams but not quite like we saw last year.

“It could be a whole different landscape for him next year as far as other opportunities. But it’s also really good for both of them. It gives DEI a good opportunity to have more time with him to put together something that’s a little bit longer.”

Truex had been considered a possible candidate for other rides, including the fourth Richard Childress Racing car expected to debut next season. Today at Watkins Glen International, Truex confirmed earlier reports that he has agreed to a one-year contract extension with DEI.

Does Earnhardt Jr., who speaks with Truex often, think Truex seems conflicted about returning to DEI?

“I guess he decided to stay because that was the best option for him,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I can’t really speak for him or DEI personally. I really didn’t talk to Martin too much about it or stick my nose in the middle of it, but I suppose it was the best option for him. I feel like it was a good decision.

“They’ve built a pretty good relationship, him and his team. I feel like that was probably the best move for him to go ahead and exercise that option with DEI and see what everything looks like at this time next year.”

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

5 responses to "Earnhardt Jr. applauds Truex decision to remain with DEI"
  1. 1
    anonymous said:
    Aug 8, 2008 at 12:08 PM

    Once again Dale Jr takes the high road. I would expect nothing less of him. Regardless of what others think of him, he rarely takes the opportunity to bash someone publicly. Thanks for being a class act.

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  2. 2
    Amanda Brezgel said:
    Aug 8, 2008 at 6:51 PM

    I was actually shocked when I heard that Truex Jr. is returning to DEI for another season. I was hoping that maybe he would join Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman at Stewart-Haas Racing because that may have been a good combination for him. New team, new teammates, and a new owner. No more Teresa. Win or lose, we'll see maybe he will be better next year.

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  3. 3
    Scott Baker said:
    Aug 9, 2008 at 11:06 AM

    I agree, JR always seems to take the high road.

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  4. 4
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 9, 2008 at 11:35 AM

    Truex is being loyal to Juinor and Teresa. Junior put him in a car that he co owned and won back too back Busch Titles. Did anyone see the interview with Max and Martin? Martin told Marty Smith what had to be done to make DEI stronger. I give him credit with all the changes going on. Way to man up!!

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  5. 5
    Sunday Money said:
    Aug 10, 2008 at 7:31 PM

    Dale Jr. is not going to "bad mouth" an organization that his dad founded. I admire him for that. I admire him for having the ability to answer a question and not be negative and know how to word what he feels he needs to say and omit what we or the media does not need to know. Go Dale Jr. !!!!!

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