Martin to the No. 8 could be announced at Bristol
By Greg Engle, Editor Cup Scene Daily
The announcement from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated of who will drive the No. 8 Chevy in 2008 could very well come this weekend at Bristol.
President of global operations for DEI Max Siegel said in a published interview this past Monday that he expects to have an announcement concerning the driver in ‘about a week.’
Most of the speculation of the driver centers on veteran Mark Martin. Martin was acquired when the organization merged with Ginn Racing and is campaigning a limited schedule this season.
Dale Earnhardt Junior, arguably NASCAR’s most popular driver, will be stepping out of the No. 8 and heading to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. There has been an uproar among Earnhardt Junior fans after DEI indicated that they would not allow the No. 8 to follow Earnhardt to his new team. Even Earnhardt Junior expressed disappointment at DEI’s refusal to allow the only number he has raced with in the Nextel Cup series to go with him to Hendrick.
DEI will have to tread carefully in terms of who they will put in the No. 8 Chevy in order to quell the discontent caused by refusal of allowing the number to move and help build brand equity. According to one scenario being discussed, Martin would spilt time in the No. 8 Chevy next season with driver Aric Almirola who was also acquired from Ginn.
Martin enjoys widespread respect among drivers, teams and fans. Naming him as the primary driver of the No. 8 could help the team make the transition smoother. Martin would spilt time with Almirola in the Chevy as Martin as already indicated he will again campaign a limited schedule in 2008.
Under the plan, Regan Smith who was forced out of a ride at Ginn when the teams merged would take over the No. 01 Chevy (that Martin now splits time in) full time in 2008.
As for the famous number, Martin said that it should stay with DEI.
"It should matter to a lot of Dale Earnhardt fans that the number stays with the owners, just as the No. 6 did with Roush,” Martin said this past weekend at Michigan. “In this business the standard has always been that the number stays with the owner and the driver has his superstardom to carry wherever he may.
All I know is that standard procedure for the owners to build equity in the number, that's what stays with them. The drivers take their superstardom wherever they may. When you make that choice to go.”
By Greg Engle, Editor Cup Scene Daily
The announcement from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated of who will drive the No. 8 Chevy in 2008 could very well come this weekend at Bristol.
President of global operations for DEI Max Siegel said in a published interview this past Monday that he expects to have an announcement concerning the driver in ‘about a week.’
Most of the speculation of the driver centers on veteran Mark Martin. Martin was acquired when the organization merged with Ginn Racing and is campaigning a limited schedule this season.
Dale Earnhardt Junior, arguably NASCAR’s most popular driver, will be stepping out of the No. 8 and heading to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. There has been an uproar among Earnhardt Junior fans after DEI indicated that they would not allow the No. 8 to follow Earnhardt to his new team. Even Earnhardt Junior expressed disappointment at DEI’s refusal to allow the only number he has raced with in the Nextel Cup series to go with him to Hendrick.
DEI will have to tread carefully in terms of who they will put in the No. 8 Chevy in order to quell the discontent caused by refusal of allowing the number to move and help build brand equity. According to one scenario being discussed, Martin would spilt time in the No. 8 Chevy next season with driver Aric Almirola who was also acquired from Ginn.
Martin enjoys widespread respect among drivers, teams and fans. Naming him as the primary driver of the No. 8 could help the team make the transition smoother. Martin would spilt time with Almirola in the Chevy as Martin as already indicated he will again campaign a limited schedule in 2008.
Under the plan, Regan Smith who was forced out of a ride at Ginn when the teams merged would take over the No. 01 Chevy (that Martin now splits time in) full time in 2008.
As for the famous number, Martin said that it should stay with DEI.
"It should matter to a lot of Dale Earnhardt fans that the number stays with the owners, just as the No. 6 did with Roush,” Martin said this past weekend at Michigan. “In this business the standard has always been that the number stays with the owner and the driver has his superstardom to carry wherever he may.
All I know is that standard procedure for the owners to build equity in the number, that's what stays with them. The drivers take their superstardom wherever they may. When you make that choice to go.”
