#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. isnt concerned teammate Martin Truex Jr. will be driving for any team other than DEI. Truex, who is in contract negotiations with car owner Teresa Earnhardt said at Texas rumors of him looking to go elsewhere are false. Dale Jr. said I feel real confident he (Truex) means what he says and he wants to be with us. I dont want Martin to feel slighted in any way or feel unhappy with it (his contract) so I told him to just take your time and itll get done. Junior pointed out it took six months to get his current contract worked out. Could Truex be headed for the #15 car replacing Michael Waltrip? Dale Jr. doesnt think so. I like working with Michael. If Teresa and Ritchie Gilmore are happy with the way he runs this year I dont see why we cant have him back. It isnt his last year I dont think he hasnt announced his retirement to me. Theyve had good cars theyve had some accidents and stuff but I wouldnt be surprised at all if hed win races aside from plate races. They should win every plate race they run and they should have a couple of more here and there because theyre that good a team and I think Michael can get the job done.”(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show/Sporting News)(4-22-2005)
UPDATE – More on DEI’s Future: Considering that the drivers who will be available after the 2006 season are far superior to those who will be available at the end of this year, it would be advantageous for DEI and NAPA, the #15’s primary sponsor, to maintain the status quo. According to Gilmore, one driver who won’t be jumping into the #15 any time soon, especially if NAPA remains on the car, is Shane Hmiel. Hmiel has close ties with DEI; the company must approve any deal for him to race with another team. Hmiel wouldn’t suit NAPA.(Sporting News)(4-26-2005)
UPDATE 2: Martin Truex says he was “flattered” by the attention he received regarding his uncertain status for next season. Dale Earnhardt Inc. has not yet signed Truex for 2006, leading to speculation he would leave the organization. His buddy, teammate and owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., spoke with Truex last week and says he’s “confident” Truex will drive DEI’s #1 Chevrolet as a Nextel Cup rookie next season.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(4-27-2005)
