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Kyle48
Guest
Jeff Hammond himself went on record to confirm his guess about the #2 Penske Dodge for 2006.
"Anything is possible, but I do know that everybody at DEI expected to get Truex locked in by now. There's been a lot more pressure put on him, especially from the Penske organization. They've offered him a fairly lucrative contract to jump ship and go over there." (FoxSports)
I think we'll finally see DEI tested as a racing team, and not a driver loyalty company. Junior is there because his name is on the door. He's made comments about the team (his own), about other drivers, loyalty, his dad, and more that would lead a person to believe he's there because of the memory and hard work of his dad, not because it's his best financial move. Rememebr DEI resigning him a couple years ago, and Junior openly commenting; "I dont have to race with DEI"? Waltrip is with DEI, because well, he'd be hard pressed to find another ride in Cup with his recent history, and his loyalty to Earnhardt Sr. for giving his first 'big-time' shot. Loyalty aside, neither of DEI's drivers would be piloting those Chevys on Sundays.
Now we see Martin Truex Jr., a solid driver. A kid from New Jersey with some loyalty to Little E. for his Busch shot in his Chance 2 car, but beyond that- no real loyalty to DEI. Junior and Chance 2 gave Truex a door to Cup, and with Junior clearly upset with his team; (comments from sunday; "That first transmission was pretty darn good, I dunno why it wasn't still in there."), doesn't really care for Waltrip, and has made comments in the past about not getting what he's owed as a driver. Not to mention Teresa Earnhardt is an absentee owner leaving the day-to-day to a guy that simply expects to mention DEI and have doors open for him- Truex may not be headed to Penske, but he'd be better served someplace else in my opinion.
I can say that if DEI fails to sign Truex there will be an even bigger rift between DEI ownership and Little E. Truex and Junior are friends, as well as employer-employee. Barring a personal favor to Junior, Truex will probably go elsewhere and signal the demise of a solid NASCAR powerhouse. Dale Earnhardt Inc. must sign Truex to remain competitve in NASCAR's top series, they have no real prospects beyond what Junior is trying to hand them, and they're screwing that up too. Is it possible for Dale Jr. to take ownership from Teresa? If DEI stays this course they're doomed. By all accounts Waltrip had to make The Chase to save his ride- so right now, Michael is gone. Chances are they won't sign the 1 car to Truex, and Dale Junior is obviously, and rightly so- upset weekly with the lackluster team he's been handed. Right now DEI is looking down the barrell of a loaded .45 with the probability of having only one top-notch driver in 2006 (Junior- surely they could fill the other two cars, there would be drivers lining up to fill the seats, but imagine the talent).
IF Truex signs with DEI, it will be the most lucrative contract in recent years for a young driver. And IF DEI does it, it will signal to all the other race teams, drivers, fans, media, and current team members- they're serious about making DEI huge, and will no longer accept running behind Roush and Hendrick.
Truex and his agent are set to test the power of DEI and NASCAR in the coming days and weeks, this is alomost better than a sunday afternoon.
- K yl e
"Anything is possible, but I do know that everybody at DEI expected to get Truex locked in by now. There's been a lot more pressure put on him, especially from the Penske organization. They've offered him a fairly lucrative contract to jump ship and go over there." (FoxSports)
I think we'll finally see DEI tested as a racing team, and not a driver loyalty company. Junior is there because his name is on the door. He's made comments about the team (his own), about other drivers, loyalty, his dad, and more that would lead a person to believe he's there because of the memory and hard work of his dad, not because it's his best financial move. Rememebr DEI resigning him a couple years ago, and Junior openly commenting; "I dont have to race with DEI"? Waltrip is with DEI, because well, he'd be hard pressed to find another ride in Cup with his recent history, and his loyalty to Earnhardt Sr. for giving his first 'big-time' shot. Loyalty aside, neither of DEI's drivers would be piloting those Chevys on Sundays.
Now we see Martin Truex Jr., a solid driver. A kid from New Jersey with some loyalty to Little E. for his Busch shot in his Chance 2 car, but beyond that- no real loyalty to DEI. Junior and Chance 2 gave Truex a door to Cup, and with Junior clearly upset with his team; (comments from sunday; "That first transmission was pretty darn good, I dunno why it wasn't still in there."), doesn't really care for Waltrip, and has made comments in the past about not getting what he's owed as a driver. Not to mention Teresa Earnhardt is an absentee owner leaving the day-to-day to a guy that simply expects to mention DEI and have doors open for him- Truex may not be headed to Penske, but he'd be better served someplace else in my opinion.
I can say that if DEI fails to sign Truex there will be an even bigger rift between DEI ownership and Little E. Truex and Junior are friends, as well as employer-employee. Barring a personal favor to Junior, Truex will probably go elsewhere and signal the demise of a solid NASCAR powerhouse. Dale Earnhardt Inc. must sign Truex to remain competitve in NASCAR's top series, they have no real prospects beyond what Junior is trying to hand them, and they're screwing that up too. Is it possible for Dale Jr. to take ownership from Teresa? If DEI stays this course they're doomed. By all accounts Waltrip had to make The Chase to save his ride- so right now, Michael is gone. Chances are they won't sign the 1 car to Truex, and Dale Junior is obviously, and rightly so- upset weekly with the lackluster team he's been handed. Right now DEI is looking down the barrell of a loaded .45 with the probability of having only one top-notch driver in 2006 (Junior- surely they could fill the other two cars, there would be drivers lining up to fill the seats, but imagine the talent).
IF Truex signs with DEI, it will be the most lucrative contract in recent years for a young driver. And IF DEI does it, it will signal to all the other race teams, drivers, fans, media, and current team members- they're serious about making DEI huge, and will no longer accept running behind Roush and Hendrick.
Truex and his agent are set to test the power of DEI and NASCAR in the coming days and weeks, this is alomost better than a sunday afternoon.
- K yl e
