Truex happy to have DEI contract extension finished

Martin Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc. principals Max Siegel and John Story appeared at the Watkins Glen International media center to confirm what had been reported earlier in the week -- that Truex will drive the No. 1 DEI Chevrolet next season with continued sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops.

Truex said after the news conference that he and DEI already had begun discussions toward a longer-term deal.


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"We've already started talking about it, so we'll see where it goes -- but we're working on it," said Truex, who currently is 17th in the Sprint Cup championship standings, having suffered a 150-point penalty after the roof of his car failed to meet the template during pre-qualifying inspection for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July.

In essence, Truex has agreed to a one-year contract extension that will take him through the option year on his current deal. The agreement eliminates debate as to whether the option lay with DEI, Truex or both.

The performance of the No. 1 hasn't measured up to its 2007 standards, when Truex qualified for the Chase to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and finished 11th in the final standings. The decision to stay with DEI keeps Truex united with crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion, who currently is serving a six-race suspension for the Daytona violation and isn't eligible to return until the Sept. 6 race at Richmond -- the final race before the Chase.

"It's all about the people," Truex said. "If you don't believe in each other, you might as well go fly a damn kite. You ain't going to get nothing done. At the end of the day, I still believe in the people that are working on my cars, the people that I'm working with on my cars, the people that are getting sponsorship and buying the stuff we need. We've got everything we need. Yes, we need to do a better job of utilizing it."

Truex's Chevy is the flagship car for DEI, which, according to DEI vice president of motorsports operations John Story, hopes to keep all four of its cars on the track next year. Paul Menard drives the No. 15, Regan Smith the No. 01, and Aric Almirola and Mark Martin split time in the No. 8. Martin will drive full time for Hendrick Motorsports next year, leaving the No. 8 ride solely to Almirola.

"As far as our 2009 program, obviously our goals have not changed," Story said. "Four cars is our objective for next year: Certainly the No. 1 with Martin [Truex], the No. 15 with Paul Menard, the No. 8 with Aric Almirola, and Regan Smith in the No. 01. But we are all still working to round out sponsorship on the No. 01 car. The goal remains to run all four teams next year."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who left family-founded DEI after the 2007 season to drive for Hendrick, said he had no input into the decision of Truex, his close friend, but that he has happy the decision had been made.

"I was happy for Martin and DEI, because he can see next year what the landscape's like," Earnhardt said. "He remains the premier driver for that whole company. I think Martin made the right decision to wait it out for another year.