CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Martin Truex Jr. finally agreed to a contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Wednesday that keeps him in the No. 1 Chevrolet at least through 2009.
The two sides held a mutual option on the 2009 season, but Truex had been reluctant to commit even though DEI was eager to retain him. He tested the market, and had verbally agreed to stay with the team several weeks ago, but declined signing anything.
Now that he’s signed, the two sides are working on a longer deal.
DEI president Max Siegel referred all questions to Truex, and a spokesman for the driver said he’d discuss his status Friday at Watkins Glen International.
Truex, who won consecutive championships in the then-Busch Series for DEI, made the Chase for the championship last season.
He’s unlikely to earn a berth this season: Truex is currently 17th in the standings, 248 points out of 12th with five races to go before the field is set. He was hit with a 100-point penalty in July when his car failed inspection at Daytona.
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