Will Martin, U.S. Army return to DEI in 2009?
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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SONOMA, Calif. – Dale Earnhardt Inc. is talking with the U.S. Army about sponsorship for next year and is also trying to figure out whether Mark Martin will be back in the fold, team vice president John Story said Sunday at Infineon Raceway.
The Army sponsorships are one-year deals, and the Army has put it out for bid as it usually does, Story said.
“We are talking to them on a regular basis,” Story said.
Currently, the U.S. Army sponsors Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, who share the No. 8 car with Martin driving in 26 races (24 points events) this year.
Martin and DEI officials have talked about next season but have not come to an agreement.
“Mark has expressed to us what he wants to do, what he would like to do, the number of races he’d like to run,” Story said. “We have to either work that out, or if it’s not something that would not work at DEI, we would have to sit down and talk about that as well, but we’re not there yet.
“I think he wants to run about the same schedule that he had this year.”
Martin and the U.S. Army came to DEI last year after DEI bought out Ginn Racing. The 49-year-old veteran has seemed content with his partial schedule and has said he would like to continue that schedule.
Almirola is racing this weekend at Infineon after having raced only once in the last nine Cup events.
“We have a long-term agreement with Aric and we’re going to bring Aric along as quickly as we can,” Story said. “Mark has been a big part of bringing Aric along.
“We’re all talking on a regular basis about what’s best for Aric, what’s best for DEI, but yet how do we take advantage of and accommodate what a legend of the sport wants to do next year. So we still have some talking to do, but I think we’ll know pretty soon what we’re going to do there.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Aric Almirola
Comments
1 response to "Will Martin, U.S. Army return to DEI in 2009?"
Mark O'Brien said:
Jun 23, 2008 at 12:12 PMNo, he will not. Over the next few days it will be about him going to Hendrick. think on this. If Stewart leaves, word is he is gone, Home Depot will stay and Zippy too. Who says Gibbs goes gets another driver for the 4th car and moves the points of the 20 to the 4th car. Martin would split time with Joey Logano in the 20 car next to gain the 20 back in to the top 35 for the Launch of Joey's NSC full season debut in 2010. You know Mark is very high on Joey and this to me is more likely to happen than the Hendrick deal. Brad is going to want a full time ride and he will get one if they don't put him in the 5 out right. Too, many teams looking for driver and you know that money talks and BS walks.
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