Truex Jr. Appears to Have Contract Signed; McMurray Denies Free Agent Reports

FanHouse's Geoffrey Miller is on location & blogging away at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Sunday's 15th Running of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

Martin Truex Jr. appears set to end the rumor mill swirling around his future.

ESPN.com's David Newton reported on Saturday that "several sources" are confirming that Truex will now stay right where he's at -- with Dale Earnhardt Inc. -- until at least 2010:

The 28-year-old New Jersey native has agreed in principle to a two-year deal that will keep him at Dale Earnhardt Inc. through the 2010 season, multiple sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sources said an official announcement is expected any day, and that details with multiple sponsors remain to be finalized.

Truex, asked if he has an agreement, said: "We're getting there, yeah. Things are going well right. I'm pretty happy. I just want to think about racing this weekend."

That quote from Truex seems to seal the deal for me, as he definitely didn't make any attempt to deny the report. He pretty much gave the "yeah, that's been correctly reported but I can't say anything yet so I'm going to get back in my race car and stay away from you media-types"-style answer.

I'm glad Truex has got his deal seemingly worked out with DEI, a team where he'll remain as the No. 1 driver in the camp. I don't think, however, that re-signing with the team will lead him towards a Sprint Cup championship any time soon.

McMurray Grows Weary of Constant Free Agency Reports

It must be tough to have the media firing you from a high-profile job before you get the news, unless, you know, the media is wrong.

That's what Roush Fenway Racing's Jamie McMurray is claiming after more speculation came about Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he would be out of the No. 26 ride effective at the end of the 2008 season -- one year before his RFR contract expires.

The speculation came after his team owner Jack Roush virtually threw McMurray under the bus during a press conference on Friday at IMS -- telling the world that he's been disappointed with Jamie's performance compared to the rest of the team among other less-than-loving statements about the Missouri driver.

McMurray responded on Saturday to both Roush's remarks and the rampant speculation that they induced in the media about his future:

"If you guys want to print the truth, the truth is I'll be there with Crown Royal," he said. "There's not a question. It's 100 percent. I know there's been some reporters that have speculated again on where I'll be and who the sponsors will be – and certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion – but I wish that for all the media that they would base it on facts."

He even stated that he was somewhat puzzled by his team owner's statements on the previous day:

"They haven't discussed that with me and I don't think that's really even been discussed," he said. "I can't control what Jack says, and sometimes Jack will go off a little bit and it maybe gets out of control. It's not that big of a deal."

It can't be too easy to focus completely on driving when not only the media is down your back about your future but also your team owner is offering any public help.

Regardless, McMurray -- currently 22nd in Sprint Cup points -- will start Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard from the 7th spot.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-26-2008 @ 8:19PM

CJ said...

Well, im suprised that Truex may be staying, but i always thought if he did, that it'd only be until Bass Pro Shops contract ended, which they and Kevin Bono Manion had a contract that lasted until 2010. It is a lil ironic that he signed as long as Mark Martin's last at Hendrick. I'd say that it's possible that if there isnt a driver that impresses Hendrick when they split that ride with Mark in 2010, that Martin Truex could replace Mark in the 5 car. I cant believe some of these drivers are staying where they are such as Greg Biffle, Martin Truex Jr, and Bobby Labonte are staying where they are when their were rides open at better organizations such as RCR, Hendrick, and JGR. I think Martin Truex is making a mistake, and i still dont believe that this is going to save DEI from going under, it just gives them a stay of execution. Until they start hiring talented drivers and to show them that they have what it takes to win championships and races, which they have never been interested in doing, then they are going to continue to be a joke in the garage as well as on the race track.
As far as Jamie McMurray, i'd love to see him at RCR, but from what i hear that he'll be at the same place next year, but that wont last very long. I hear that Roush actually wants to let McMurray go, but that Crown Royal wants to keep him, and whoever is footing the bill is going to win the arguement. I think if McMurray wanted to go, i think Jack would let him, but it seems the only one that wants him gone is Jack.
In the end, the only thing that will be left for RCR will be Casey Mears. I think that Stremme will get the seat vacated by Ryan Newman, although i think that Hornish will be moved to the 12 car, and Stremme will take over the 77. I think it's a sure lock that Logano will take over the 20 car since he's a cheaper price tag, and end the end, the only top free agent, if you wanna stretch it that far, will be Casey Mears. Now a story came out that Rusty Wallace is now allowed to move his team up to the Sprint Cup series if he liked, and if he did, Stremme could take that ride, and Penske could hire Casey Mears, then i could see RCR taking a chance with a guy like Stephen Leicht, but that's a last option i think. Of course, Newman will probably take the Stewart Haas ride, and a couple teams that have been rumored to be wild card teams to be looking is Petty Enterprises and Evernham. Evernham from what i hear is interested in Truex and Newman, and Petty has been rumored with David Reutimann and Scott Riggs. I like Scott Riggs and im sure he'd jump to have a chance to get on board with the investors at that deal.

7-26-2008 @ 11:14PM

anna seitter said...

About a month ago yahoo sports reported a story about TREX
staying at TEI and had already signed the new contract.
Damn, one do not know who or what to believe anymore.

7-26-2008 @ 10:09PM

Well, according to this story:

http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/16848.html

there is no truth to any agreement and obviously thru his comments, Truex is really pissed off at David Newton. Now, Truex could be pissed because he wanted to be the one to announce an agreement, or he's pissed cause it is not true. Me personally, i hope it's the second reason. Ive read, like i stated earlier, that RCR was looking at McMurray, but now has decided to focus on trying to get Truex Jr.

7-27-2008 @ 12:39AM

TO ALL KYLE BUSH HATERS:
Despite nazcar has deprived toyota of 15 HP, ON THE ENGINE KYLE BUSH WINS AGAIN IN NATIONWIDE. choke on it now!!!!!
So much for those japanese advantage hart.