| | | | | | STAYING PUT | DEI ends any speculation, picks up Truex's option for 2009 | |
| | David Newton / ESPN.com Take Martin Truex Jr.'s name off the list of free-agent drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. has picked up the option on Truex's contract for next season and hopes to sign him to a long-term deal for 2010 and beyond. "He's important to us," Max Siegel, president of global operations at DEI, said on Monday. "We love him. We want him to be here long-term. I don't want him to go anywhere."
There was speculation Truex would end up at any of a number of organizations, including Richard Childress Racing's fourth team and Hendrick Motorsports, if Casey Mears were to be released.
Siegel said DEI always had the option on next season and that there never was a doubt it would be picked up. As far as he's concerned, there are no outs to the deal and Truex wants to return.
"He's stated he loves DEI and loves working there," Siegel said of Truex. "I want to make sure the overall package we put together gives him the security and comfort and resources he needs to compete at the highest level."
Truex Jr. has become DEI's marquee driver since Dale Earnhardt Jr. left for Hendrick Motorsports following last season. He was the only DEI driver to qualify for the championship chase last season, finishing fifth.
He has a solid relationship with his primary sponsor, Bass Pro Shop, which is locked up through 2010.
"The material things of the deal for next season are agreed upon," Siegel said. "We're just working out the salary details." Siegel is happy with the overall direction of DEI. Truex is 17th in points, falling three spots with Sunday's 37th-place finish following a crash at Talladega. Paul Menard moved up a spot to 21st and Regan Smith is in 34th.
Mark Martin, driving a part-time schedule, is 30th.
"We're in the process of discussing a renewal with Paul," Siegel said. "We're sticking with the guys we have right now."
| | Posted April 28, 2008 , 8:33 pm EST
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