- Contract Status: Driver: 2008; Sponsor: 2010
Races [1] that Cub Cadet is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Chicago - July
- Truex to Penske? with UPS? UPDATE UPS denies: hearing that Martin Truex, current driver of the #1 DEI Chevy, could be headed to a 4th Penske Racing team with UPS as the sponsor.(5-4-2008)
UPDATE - UPS denies negotiating with any team: UPS officials released a statement Monday saying the company is not currently in negotiations with any specific Sprint Cup team or driver. UPS currently sponsors the #44 driven by David Reutimann. Michael Waltrip Racing Vice President Cal Wells has said that UPS has had preliminary discussions with six teams about what cars and drivers they would have open for 2009 and "UPS is doing exactly what they should be doing. We either earn the business back or we won’t." But to say that UPS has started negotiations with any team is not accurate, according to a company official. "As of this date, UPS is not engaged in formal active sponsorship negotiations with any NASCAR Sprint Cup driver or race team," read the statement, attributed to UPS Director of Sponsorship & Events Ron Rogowski. With Dale Jarrett's retirement this year, UPS is looking for another face for a long-term campaign. One of the drivers often mentioned is #99-Carl Edwards, who right now is sponsored by Office Depot. Roush Fenway Racing and Office Depot currently are in an exclusive negotiating period for Edwards. "UPS went to six or eight race teams, visited them, to get all the inventory that they all had," Roush Fenway President Geoff Smith said Saturday. "And from that, they told us they would cut it down amongst the teams. There's been no negotiating."(SceneDaily.com)(5-6-2008) Comment here
- DEI picks up option on Truex, good thru 2009 UPDATE not so fast?: When there’s been talk about potential free agents for 2009, #1-Martin Truex, Jr. has had his name passed around in more than one story or conversation. There’s one hitch. His current deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc is good through next season according to team president Max Siegel. “We have an option that we’ve picked up for 2009, so that’s always reported in a confusing way. We love Martin and we’re having discussions about extending it for a long-term deal, but we’re good through 2009. He’s important to our organization…we’re giving him everything we possibly can and what he needs to win and be happy here long term.” Siegel also thinks the on track performance of all four DEI cars is on the upswing. “I think we’re making significant progress. The #15 team’s performance on a weekly basis is indicative of how we’ve elevated the program. We’ve got to stay very patient and focused. If you look at the #1 team and the #8…we’re doing great…got some consistency with our engines and the energy is just fantastic.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(4-28-2008)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. holds an option on Truex that it wants to exercise, but Truex has to agree to the terms under the language of his existing deal.(ESPN.com/AP)(5-2-2008) Comment here
- Important two months ahead for Truex: If free agent-to-be #1-Martin Truex Jr. is considering employment with another team, the next two months should help him make up his mind. Starting with last year's spring race at Talladega, Truex shrugged off a slow start with finishes of 11th or better in six of nine races -- including a dominant win at Dover. During that stretch, Truex rose from 20th in the standings to ninth. But Truex's situation is much different this season. He's feeling the pressure to duplicate last year's performance and is unable to sneak up on competitors. The good news is that Truex may not have to worry about finding a new employer. His performance to date has been much better than in the first eight races of last year. If Truex decides to bolt, Richard Childress Racing's new fourth car would be a step up. Truex is a good qualifier and probably wouldn't sweat too much over the first five races of next season, when he would have to qualify solely on time. Also, Truex would be joining an organization whose current drivers rank among the top eight in points. If Truex's cars don't measure up to his expectations during these next two months, the decision to leave will become that much easier. And it would leave DEI without any full-time premier drivers.(NASCAR.com)(4-23-2008) Comment here
- Truex focused on racing - not contract: #1-Martin Truex Jr. says that he’s not worried about contract talks with his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team yet [his contract runs out at end of season]. He’s too busy focusing on improving his performance. These days, just five races into the season, his thoughts are on racing, not negotiations of the contract that ends this season. “I haven’t even looked down that road yet,” he said of any potential contract developments. “I’m so focused on winning right now with my team and giving these guys everything I’ve got."(SceneDaily)(3-30-2008) Comment here
- Truex discussing re-signing with DEI: #1-Martin Truex Jr. is in a contract year, and while some preliminary discussions have been held considering an extension, he insisted Feb. 7 that he wasn't focused on that right now. Truex has spent the previous four years as part of Dale Earnhardt Inc., the first two in the Busch (now Nationwide) Series with Chance 2 Motorsports (co-owned by DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr.) and the other two in Cup. "We've talked about it a little bit and that's as far as it went," Truex said. "We need to go out here and win races and concentrate on racing. We'll worry about that stuff later on."(SceneDaily.com), sponsor Bass Pro Shops and crew chief Kevin Manion are signed thru 2010. Comment here.
- New sponsors for DEI: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has secured two new sponsors for the 2008 season, Steak-umm and Cub Cadet. Both deals are for mostly associate positions on DEI cars but also involve primary positions in select Sprint Cup races. Terms of the deals were not available. Steak-umm's sponsorship will involve a full season of associate sponsorship on Mark Martin's #8 Chevy, as well as a primary for the June Pocono race. In May, Steak-umm will be the primary sponsor on DEI's #01 Chevy driven by Regan Smith at Richmond. Cub Cadet, which also has status as NASCAR's official outdoor power equipment, has bought associate space on Martin Truex Jr.'s #1 Chevy with a primary planned for the Chicagoland race in July. Charlotte-based Camp Strategy represented Cub Cadet. There's also a business-to-business component, which involves Bass Pro Shops, the yearlong primary on Truex's car, possibly selling Cub Cadet equipment in its stores. .(Sporting News/Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal)(1-15-2008) Conversation
- #1 crew chief Manion signs 3yr deal: Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced it has signed crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion to a three-year deal that will continue his long-term tenure at DEI. “Chemistry is a very important part of any race team and I’m excited that we’ll be able to continue to build on what we have accomplished over the past several years,” said Manion. “We are looking forward to getting back out there on the track in January and hopefully starting to build on what can be a championship season.”
“We are very pleased to sign Kevin to a multi-year agreement,” said John Story, vice president of motorsports operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc. “Kevin is a long time and loyal employee of Dale Earnhardt Inc., and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is a proven championship caliber crew chief, and is dedicated to our Company. We look forward to him continuing to build our organization towards the future.” Manion helped guide the #1 Bass Pro Shops Team and Martin Truex Jr. to a berth in the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2007. In addition, the team notched its first win at Dover in June.(DEI PR)(12-21-2007)
- Chevy Renews with DEI: Chevy will continue its partnership with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2008 and beyond. "Chevy enjoyed a successful relationship, including six NASCAR Cup championships, with the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel of his Richard Childress Racing Chevy, and we're proud of our longstanding relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. which extends all the way back to when Dale and Teresa Earnhardt founded the business," said Ed Peper, Chevy general manager. "We're pleased to be a part of the DEI family and look forward to continued success with one of racing's leading organizations."(Chevy PR)(10-26-2007)
- Martin Truex Jr. Announces Foundation: #1-Martin Truex Jr. announced he has started a foundation that will benefit children in need. Truex Jr. donated a check in the amount of $100,000 to the foundation in making the announcement. "I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a loving family and supportive friends," said Truex. "They have helped me get to where I am today. When I joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. I made a promise to myself to give back to those less fortunate than me. The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation is the realization of that promise. The foundation is dedicated to providing funds to non-profit, charitable organizations that will properly impact the lives of children. It will benefit children in my hometown in New Jersey, as well as the town of Mooresville, North Carolina, and the surrounding area. There are so many kids who could accomplish things in their lives if only given the right tools. My goal is to help these kids any way I can. Our first project, "Little Bears for Little Kids", is a stuffed animal drive for children who have been served by the Dove House in Statesville, North Carolina. We have collected several thousand stuffed animals for the children in need. I need to thank everyone with all of these corporations who have helped to make this a success." The Dale Earnhardt Foundation also donated $5,000 to the fund. The Earnhardt Foundation will donate $3,000 for each victory Truex Jr. earns for the rest of 2007 and in 2008. Bass Pro Shops will also donate 1,000 stuffed bears to the Little Bears for Little Kids program. Eight hundred and twenty-seven of the bears were donated today to the Dove House in Statesville, which benefits victims of child abuse.(Lowes Motor Speedway PR)(10-15-2007)
- Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing Merge; Official Announcement: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has become even stronger through a merger with Ginn Racing. Effective immediately, the team will feature the Chevys of #15-Paul Menard, #1-Martin Truex Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #01-Mark Martin and #01-Aric Almirola. Martin and Almirola will combine to drive the #01 Army Chevy for the remainder of the 2007 season as well as the entire 2008 season. Menard drives the Menards Chevy, Truex drives the Bass Pro Shops Chevy and Earnhardt handles driving duties of the Budweiser Chevy. All four entries are inside the top 35 in Nextel Cup points heading into this weekend's Brickyard 400. Regan Smith, who was originally slated to drive the Ginn Clubs and Resorts Chevy in the Brickyard 400, will instead compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday night in the Ginn Resorts Chevy Silverado. Specific schedules for Martin, Smith and Almirola will be announced later. In addition to Nextel Cup Series competition, the company will continue to field entries in the Busch Series, the Busch East Series and will analyze its future involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series. The numerous teams of Dale Earnhardt Inc. will operate from both the original facility built by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt as well as the nearly 180,000-square-foot facility currently housing Ginn Racing's teams. The buildings are less than five miles apart in Mooresville, N.C. Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s current management team will be responsible for all day-to- day activities and transition plans have already begun to develop. John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for DEI will oversee the expansion of the company's racing efforts. In completing this merger, points on Ginn Racing's #13 car, which was 34th in Nextel Cup owner's points, have been eliminated.(Dale Earnhardt Inc PR), been told the #78 team will NOT be allowed to buy the points for the #13 car, so the #21 Ford supposedly will move up into the top 35 of owners pts and get the guaranteed spot. Bill Elliott will run the #21 car at Indy with Ken Schrader in the #49, no word yet if Schrader will return to the #21 at Pocono next week.(7-25-2007)
- Bass Pro re-signs with DEI UPDATE: Bass Pro Shops will continue as sponsor of the #1 Chevy and driver Martin Truex in 2008. Terms of the contract extension between Bass Pro and Dale Earnhardt Inc. were not disclosed.(Springfield, MO News Leader)(6-26-2007)
UPDATE: Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor store, has signed a three-year agreement with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to sponsor the #1 Chevy and driver Martin Truex , Jr. through the 2010 Nextel Cup season. “Bass Pro Shops has been an awesome sponsor for me,” stated Truex. “I have become real close with Johnny Morris and all the people at Bass Pro Shops and I wouldn’t want anyone else to sponsor my race car right now. I feel like we have built a great relationship.”(BassPro PR)(7-8-2007)
- Truex plans to stay with DEI: #1-Martin Truex Jr. said he was prepared for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to either stay with or leave Dale Earnhardt Inc., but he was not privy to nor was he involved in any of the negotiations concerning his teammate. Truex was widely reported to be joining Earnhardt Jr. in leaving DEI in the past few days, but he says he plans to stay with the team that gave him his Nextel Cup start and finish his contract, which runs through next season. In just his second season of full-time competition, Truex doesn't seem too worried about DEI's state of affairs at this point. "I've got to give it a fair shake," he said. "They gave me my opportunity, and I've decided I'm going to finish out the year and honor my contract because of all the things they've done for me."(SceneDaily.com)(5-12-2007)
