Truex confirms one-year contract extension with DEI
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Martin Truex Jr. confirmed today that he has signed one-year contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"We're very excited to have Martin back for 2009 and end the speculation," said Max Siegel, DEI president of global operations. "He's a very important part of our program."
Truex joined DEI full time in the Cup series in 2006. A two-time champion in what is now known as the Nationwide Series, he made the Cup championship field last season, took his first Cup win and finished 11th in the series standings.
"I'm excited. I'm glad to put an end to all the rumors," Truex said.
Truex said that he felt that the DEI team had been unjustly criticized this season and that he sees improvement in the organization, which also fields the No. 01 of Regan Smith, the No. 8 shared by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola and the No. 15 of Paul Menard. He said that he believes in the people the organization has and their ability to return to top form.
"I know what we did last year," he said. "I know what we're capable of. That is a big part of what led me to this decision."
Truex is currently 17th in the series standings, in part because of a 150-point penalty levied against his team for a rule infraction in July at Daytona, where his car failed to reach NASCAR's roof template during inspection.
Truex now becomes the senior member of the organization for 2009. He was already the driver who had been with the group the longest, but with Martin departing to join Hendrick Motorsports next season, Truex's role could increase even more.
"Martin has moved into a leadership role in our company very seamlessly," Siegel said of Truex.
Financial terms of Truex’s new contract with DEI were not released.
