After months of speculation, Martin Truex Jr and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. have reached an agreement to maintain their affiliation. It seemed like a drawn-out process, and there were times when Truex Jr seemed to be leaning towards departing the DEI organization, but in the end, they were able to convince the two-time Nationwide Series champion to remain.
Two weeks ago at Indianapolis, ESPN reported that DEI and Martin Truex Jr had reached an agreement; however, the report was premature. Truex Jr was incensed by the report, which ultimately led to a heated discussion with Max Siegel, DEI's President of Global Operations. The two parties were able to clear the air, and Truex Jr remains the face of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
It was vital for DEI to retain Truex Jr. After Dale Earnhardt Jr signed with Hendrick Motorsports following a year long tift with Teresa Earnhardt, the company became the center of constant scrutiny. They needed something positive to happen, and resigning Truex Jr is undoubtedly a positive sign of things to come. DEI has several talented young drivers under contract such as Aric Almirola, Paul Menard, and Regan Smith, but none of those young drivers are ready to emerge as the star of the organization.
Truex Jr began driving for Chance 2 Motorsports in 2004. Chance 2 was co-owned by Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr, and was under the DEI umbrella. Truex Jr captured the 2004 and 2005 Nationwide Series championship before joining the Sprint Cup Series in 2006, where he finished third in the Rookie of the Year standings.
In 2007, Truex Jr won his first career Sprint Cup race at Dover in June, and proceeded to qualify for the Chase for the Championship.
The 2008 season has been a rather arduous season for Truex Jr. The performance of the team has not measured up to where they were a year ago, and a 150-point penalty all but ended any Chase for the Championship hopes for Truex Jr and the 1 team.
Bass Pro Shops will remain as the sponsor for Truex Jr.
Prior to resigning with DEI, rumors of Truex Jr's future were abound. Richard Childress Racing, Stewart Haas Racing, and Penske Racing were all gunning for Truex Jr at some point.
After Mark Martin opted to sign with Hendrick Motorsports for 2009, DEI was able to offer Truex Jr more incentive to stick around.
With Truex Jr now off the free agent market, Richard Childress Racing and Penske Racing must continue their driver search.
