W
Ward Burton
Guest
RICHMOND, Va. -- Mark Martin and the U.S. Army are moving to Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 car.
The NASCAR team made that official Friday at Richmond International Raceway, when it formally unveiled its driver lineup for 2008. Martin will run a limited schedule in the No. 8 car being vacated by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is moving to Hendrick Motorsports for next season. Aric Almirola, who recently moved over from Joe Gibbs Racing will complete the balance of the schedule.
U.S. Army will be the primary sponsor on the No. 8 car, moving over from it's previous home on the No. 01.
"I raced against Dale Earnhardt for a lot of years, and I know what kind of competitor he was on the track," said Martin, referring to the team's late founder. "We have a really big legacy to live up to, but I'm confident that we are putting together an organization that we can be proud of."
The four-man lineup also includes Martin Truex Jr., who will return to the No. 1 car, and Paul Menard, who will return to the No. 15. The fourth car will be driven by Regan Smith, who split time with Martin this year when both worked for Ginn Racing, the organization later absorbed by DEI. Smith's sponsor and car number have yet to be determined.
The NASCAR team made that official Friday at Richmond International Raceway, when it formally unveiled its driver lineup for 2008. Martin will run a limited schedule in the No. 8 car being vacated by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is moving to Hendrick Motorsports for next season. Aric Almirola, who recently moved over from Joe Gibbs Racing will complete the balance of the schedule.
U.S. Army will be the primary sponsor on the No. 8 car, moving over from it's previous home on the No. 01.
"I raced against Dale Earnhardt for a lot of years, and I know what kind of competitor he was on the track," said Martin, referring to the team's late founder. "We have a really big legacy to live up to, but I'm confident that we are putting together an organization that we can be proud of."
The four-man lineup also includes Martin Truex Jr., who will return to the No. 1 car, and Paul Menard, who will return to the No. 15. The fourth car will be driven by Regan Smith, who split time with Martin this year when both worked for Ginn Racing, the organization later absorbed by DEI. Smith's sponsor and car number have yet to be determined.