Postponing the Inevitable? Truex at DEI for '09

Leading up to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, word was that Martin Truex Jr. was going to re-sign with Dale Earnhardt Inc. for 2009, and potentially longer. Truex, though, wasn't happy about the report done by ESPN.com's David Newton:

"It's (expletive). I don't know what the hell (the reporter) is talking about. He doesn't know what he's talking about," Truex said.

It turns out, though, that Newton was ultimately right. Whether or not he was right at the time, though, is still up in the air.

Regardless, Martin Truex Jr. is expected to announce later Friday that he will be staying at DEI in the No. 1 car for at least one more year. In contract terms, Truex actually just accepted the DEI's proposal to pick up the one-year option for '09 that was already in his previous deal.

Truex's move takes away at least a fraction of the rumor game being currently played throughout the Sprint Cup garage area, as he has been rumored for any number of open seats in 2009 including Stewart-Haas Racing, Penske Racing, and Richard Childress Racing.

I figured that Penske or Childress would be a great fit for Truex Jr. mainly because DEI just hasn't elevated its game on-track to compete for championships like it should, and because Truex does have the talent to win races and championships.

Put together Mark Martin leaving the team after 2008, rumors about team president Max Siegel looking at new opportunities outside of NASCAR, and an array of young, under performing drivers in the stable, the DEI outlook isn't exactly a rosy picture.

Perhaps, though, that's exactly why Truex didn't sign a long-term deal with DEI. This move might come with an unwritten clause of "Get better or I'm gone" from Truex.

And Truex deserves that.

He deserves to be in equipment that can consistently challenge for wins and be a near shoe-in each season to make the Chase. If that doesn't happen quickly in 2009, expect a "one and done" effort for the New Jersey driver as he moves on to greener pastures in 2010.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-07-2008 @ 4:54PM

CJ said...

First off, i think Martin Truex owes David Newton an apology, but i know that'll never happen. Second, this still will not save DEI, it'll only drag Truex Jr's career into the mud. Truex Jr will not be the savior for DEI, because Teresa is not willing to go and get better and high paying sponsors such as UPS and try to keep the US Army which they only acquired, as Mark Martin, by buying another team. Also, as a result from this, she's not getting the drivers that have the talent to turn an organization around. DEI doesnt appeal to drivers such as Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, or Tony Stewart. Supposedly, Tony Stewart was offered ownership, but unlike the Haas deal where he essentially was given half the organization just by walking thru the door, Tony was going to have to put up a substantial amount of money first off before he acquired any ownership and said that it was a very risky amount and move.
I look forward to the day when the media admits to the downfall that is coming in the near future of DEI and that Truex, Menard, Smith and Amirola are guys to build a competitive organization such as Hendrick with Johnson, Earnhardt Jr, Martin, and Gordon? WILL NEVER HAPPEN! When you replace Dale Jr, Tony Jr, and Budweiser in a ride with Aric Amirola, Tony Gibson, and not even sure that sponsor US Army is going to be back, although i guarantee US Army gives them nearly the amount Bud did for Dale Jr. I know the only reason they kept Truex Jr is because the money they saved by letting Mark Martin go all went to Truex and money talks and his career didnt mean a damn thing to him after that.

8-07-2008 @ 6:15PM

Susan said...

I don't think David Newton should be off the hook at all. David Newton's article benefitted DEI. If Truex was talking to another team and heard this report then they probably thought Truex was using them to get more money. I wouldn't be surprised if Max and DEI gave the story to ESPN to begin with. I think it was a crappy thing that David Newton did and helped no one but DEI.

8-08-2008 @ 4:29PM

Don Emerson said...

Interesting point Susan, if it's true it won't be the first time that ol' trick has been used in Nascar. I like Truex, but I'm still not sure about his skill as a driver. As for DEI falling apart, I dunno.....Mark martin seemed to have the best car last Sunday. DEI might have let Martin go next year because he wanted out to pursue his dream of finally winning a title, and not because of any financial problems. Works for me.......

8-09-2008 @ 12:45PM

Brad said...

Having an option for 2009 on Truex leaves me to believe there was no way DEI was going to let him go, especially after Martin had already anounced his departure. With the amount of money Bass-pro shops adds and Truex being the only top Driver left at DEI how could they? What I find interesting is that he has only agreed to the one year option and that HMS has only signed Martin for 1 year with no option after that. Being Truex is good friends with Jr. and Jr. having a pretty good idea of what DEI would do with the option on Truex has some implications that he may end up at HMS, the money is there, the sponsor will go with him and he has already proven he can make the chase with let's just say lesser equipment. I also find it interesting that RCR hadn't anounced their 4th driver yet with Mears and Mcmurray (and others) available but not knowing what was going to happen with Truex.
JMO.....only time will tell.

Aloha, Brad

8-09-2008 @ 12:53PM

Well it seems I screwed that theory up forgetting that Martin did sign for a 26 race schedule with HMS for 2010. Like I said only time will tell,,,,,,,,,,,,about 5 minutes LOL