DEI: Smith gets ride; Martin/Almirola in the No. 8
RICHMOND, Va. - Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials unveiled the team's four-car 2008 Sprint Cup lineup Friday, announcing in a news release that Regan Smith will join Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Mark Martin/Aric Almirola.
DEI said Martin and Almirola would share the No. 8 Chevrolet; replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sponsorship will come from the U.S. Army. Truex remains in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, with Menard staying in the No. 15 Menards Chevy.
The team said the number and sponsor for Smith would be announced at a later date.
"Our lineup is a perfect blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise," Max Siegel, president of global operations for DEI, said in a statement. "The addition of Mark Martin's leadership and his desire to mentor our drivers is huge for us. Paul Menard and Martin Truex Jr. have been with our company for several years, and we have confidence and great expectations in both of them, which allows us to further develop our future with two rookie drivers in Regan and Aric."
DEI merged with Ginn Racing in late July, expanding to four teams. Smith was scheduled to race full time with Ginn before the merger but was left without a ride after the alliance was announced. Smith will run for Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 2008.
Martin joined DEI from Ginn, as did Almirola. Many Earnhardt Jr. fans have been vocal in their anger about anyone else driving the No. 8, but Martin brushed that aside.
"This has been a great opportunity for me and this team," Martin said. "It's a great honor to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc., and it's a great honor to drive the No. 8 car for this organization. I raced against Dale Earnhardt for a lot of years, and I know what kind of competitor he was on the track. We have a really big legacy to live up to, but I'm confident that we are putting together an organization that he would be proud of."
RICHMOND, Va. - Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials unveiled the team's four-car 2008 Sprint Cup lineup Friday, announcing in a news release that Regan Smith will join Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Mark Martin/Aric Almirola.
DEI said Martin and Almirola would share the No. 8 Chevrolet; replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sponsorship will come from the U.S. Army. Truex remains in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, with Menard staying in the No. 15 Menards Chevy.
The team said the number and sponsor for Smith would be announced at a later date.
"Our lineup is a perfect blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise," Max Siegel, president of global operations for DEI, said in a statement. "The addition of Mark Martin's leadership and his desire to mentor our drivers is huge for us. Paul Menard and Martin Truex Jr. have been with our company for several years, and we have confidence and great expectations in both of them, which allows us to further develop our future with two rookie drivers in Regan and Aric."
DEI merged with Ginn Racing in late July, expanding to four teams. Smith was scheduled to race full time with Ginn before the merger but was left without a ride after the alliance was announced. Smith will run for Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 2008.
Martin joined DEI from Ginn, as did Almirola. Many Earnhardt Jr. fans have been vocal in their anger about anyone else driving the No. 8, but Martin brushed that aside.
"This has been a great opportunity for me and this team," Martin said. "It's a great honor to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc., and it's a great honor to drive the No. 8 car for this organization. I raced against Dale Earnhardt for a lot of years, and I know what kind of competitor he was on the track. We have a really big legacy to live up to, but I'm confident that we are putting together an organization that he would be proud of."