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| TRUEX JR TO SIGN EXTENSION WITH DEI-HARD ROCK CASINO TOO? |
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Mark Martin’s new deal with Hendrick Motorsports will make it much easier for DEI to resign Martin Truex Jr. Early Sunday morning, sources close to Truex Jr. said Martin’s release from the team at the end of the 2008 season would free up more than $8 million dollars. That money now appears to be spearheaded for Truex Jr.
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Even though there has been a substantial amount of speculation as to where Truex Jr. might land after the current Sprint Cup season ends, he has never wanted to leave DEI. Sources had him going with Tony Stewart to HAAS CNC, over to Penske to replace Newman, and even to RCR in their fourth car. Through it all, Truex Jr. has been stout in saying that he wanted an extension from DEI and did not want to leave the organization that gave him his start in NASCAR. He has however wanted to be paid the going rate for his abilities and past successes.
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DEI has said they have an option on Truex Jr for 2009, an option that Truex Jr has discounted. Mark Martin was being paid more than $8 million dollars to drive part-time according to sources within the DEI organization. Now that Martin has agreed to terms with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the #5 car full-time next season and part-time in 2010, this money has become available for Truex Jr. Sources said DEI and Truex Jr. are closer than ever to announcing a contract extension that would lock in the New Jersey native through 2012 in the #1 car.
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DEI is also working diligently to lock up sponsors for next season. Rumors have been swirling that they may lose their U.S. Army sponsorship on Martin’s #8 car, a car that will be driven by rookie Aric Almirola next year, to Red Bull and Scott Speed. If that happens, DEI hopes to be ready with another sponsor to step in. That sponsor may be the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s.
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Sources said early Sunday that Max Siegel, President of Global Operations for DEI, had met throughout the weekend in Daytona Beach, FL with representatives from the Hard Rock about possible sponsorship opportunities with DEI. They could replace the U.S. Army should they bail and head to Red Bull, or they could end up on the #01 of Regan Smith. – John ‘Captain Thunder’ Nevins for www.captainthunderracing.com  Â
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