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maybe he is tired of being a P/C poster child like hid Daddy Jeff Gordon.
Truex confirms one-year contract extension with DEI
By SceneDaily Staff
Friday, August 08, 2008
Martin Truex Jr. (right) talks as Max Siegel, Dale Earnhardt Inc. president of global operations, looks on.
David Griffin
dgriffin@streetandsmiths.com
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.
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Comments
3 responses to "Truex confirms one-year contract extension with DEI". Post a Comment.
Nelda Quier said:
Aug 8, 2008 at 5:15 PMMax & Martin both said they were excited re the decision. Their faces, & demeanor, tell a different tale. Oh well. It gives Truex Jr more time to look around & make a better decision next year.
Jay said:
Aug 8, 2008 at 5:42 PMI don't think he stays there past this year. Rumor was he put too high of a price on himself. Problem with that is, what rides are going to be available next year? There were some quality options right now. Might be a few start up teams that are rumored.
Steve C said:
Aug 8, 2008 at 9:41 PMOnly a year, that's the best DEI could do,,, well I see Martin shoping around for 2010 if there's not a championship