Where would Truex go?

[flamehothead]

If #8 team closes, Truex could be free agent..to Gibbs? The buzz in the garage has Earnhardt Ganassi Racing shutting down the #8 Chevy and sidelining Aric Almirola after this weekend if a sponsor doesn't magically appear. If that happens, three contracts are affected: #1-Martin Truex Jr., Bass Pro Shops Racing and Chevy. Truex's contract states that he must have two teammates or he can leave the team. Bass Pro Shops has a performance clause and with Truex 28th in owner points, the #1 team is in a precarious position. Finally, Chevy can alter its support to EGR if three teams are not under the roof. The hot rumor at Martinsville last week had Truex replacing Joey Logano in the #20 Home Depot Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs insisted Sunday and again by phone on Wednesday that "Joey's our guy. We haven't had any conversations with anyone," Gibbs said. "We'd like to have someone in line by summer time, but you have to sit down, look at what partner is available, what driver is available and who would be a good fit for the team. We had [#96] Hall of Fame last year and we don't have it now. So we have room for a fourth team. We'd love to have it."
Gibbs mentioned JGR's plans to run the #02 Farm Bureau Toyota to race later this season. An announcement was made in January that Farm Bureau Insurance was signed for six Cup races in 2009, including being the primary sponsor for two Cup races on Denny Hamlin's car at Darlington and Atlanta and on Logano's car at Martinsville. A fourth team will feature Farm Bureau as the title sponsor for the fall races at LMS, Texas and Homestead. Gibbs did not believe Farm Bureau was committed to a level where it could expand as a full-time sponsor in 2010.
Truex said on Friday that he's committed to staying the course. "When I give someone my word by signing a contract, if they keep theirs and I keep my mind, there's no reason to ever think about doing anything else, obviously," Truex said. "Right now, my focus is on getting this car better and moving up in the points. We're back here where we shouldn't be. We've never been back this far before and we've had a tough start to the year."
As for Bass Pro Shops, if Truex does leave. don't be surprised if the sponsor fills out Ryan Newman's program on the #39 Chevy at Stewart-Haas Racing [US Army is there for 23 races]. That deal, which is valued between $8 million and $10 million, could go down before summer.(FoxSports)(4-4-2009) Comment here

[Tonyfan14]

For sure Bass Pro goes to Tony's team. AS for Truex. Either JGR or SHR.  Not sure SHR is ready to expand to 3 cars next season but if they are it wouldn't surprise me to see Truex go there.

[Yatesguy]

Sounds to me like he'd to stay. Maybe it's better to be the big fish in a small pond than chance driving someone else's R&D cars. EGR just might survive and be a good race team to drive for.....It could happen.

[DougS]

The deal that DEI negotiated with BPS just keeps getting wierder and wierder. No wonder why Truex wanted out last year until DEI paid him upfront for this year.

I see Truex finishing off the year in the #1 car regardless, but I'm sure behind the scenes his agent is working on next year. He's the biggest silly season free agent on the street no matter where he ends up. I'm sure he'll end up in a contender with an owner that has the chance of fielding winning equipment.

My best guess as where he ends up is a 3rd car at SHR if he can bring BPS. I think that's one of NASCARs sponsor driver combinations that is a marketing home run.

I'm surprised that Home Depot wants to re-new it's current sponsorship with any driver. Because no matter who drives an Orange Home Depot car it will always be tied compared to Tony. In my heart of hearts I think Tony should have waited one year with Home Depot, Greg Zippadeli and his contract all expiring at the same time. Home Depot is doing a great job of marketing Joey with passing the wheel last year and shopping this year. But in the end an 18 year old kid isn't the best salesman for home depot and the car is only seeing TV time when they talk about the rookies and or something happens around Joey.

Truex to Gibbs would be interesting. JGR does want to go to 4 cars but they've said it has to be the right driver with the right sponsorship.

Another possibility is Truex to Penske replacing Sam Hornish who will definately re-evaluate and see which grass is greener after this year.

[Tonyfan14]

I'm not sure Tony could have waited.  What would Office Depot, Old Spice, Army, Ryan Newman, etc have done this year??

IMO but SHR would be a way better organization to go to than Penske.  SHR is only a few months old and is already almost outrunning Penske.   

[Fathead]

I'm sure Gamestop will step to the plate next year for Logano.



I didn't even know Truex was still driving this season.  I don't think they've said his name on tv since Daytona.

[SMOKEN14]

For sure Bass Pro goes to Tony's team. AS for Truex. Either JGR or SHR.  Not sure SHR is ready to expand to 3 cars next season but if they are it wouldn't surprise me to see Truex go there.

I've said since the day Truex signed his 1 year deal that he would end up at Stewart Racing in 2010 #1 reason is Bass pro shops have sponsored Tony's USAC and WOO cars for years. I also Believe in 2011 Stewart will go to a 4th car with Kasey Khane.time will tell

[Chris]

I'm surprised that Home Depot wants to re-new it's current sponsorship with any driver. Because no matter who drives an Orange Home Depot car it will always be tied compared to Tony. In my heart of hearts I think Tony should have waited one year with Home Depot, Greg Zippadeli and his contract all expiring at the same time. Home Depot is doing a great job of marketing Joey with passing the wheel last year and shopping this year. But in the end an 18 year old kid isn't the best salesman for home depot and the car is only seeing TV time when they talk about the rookies and or something happens around Joey.

Home Depot has been in racing so long now... and gets such a good bang for their buck.. NO way I see them getting out.  NOW... If Logano don't start performing, they may put some pressure on JGR to REPLACE Joey and get soemone competative to drive, but I don't see them getting out.  Especially while Lowes, and JJ are running so well.  They are the two leading home repair places, and IMO one can't drop out if the other stays.

Truex to Gibbs would be interesting. JGR does want to go to 4 cars but they've said it has to be the right driver with the right sponsorship.

Well,.. I'll say this .  Right now.. about ANY driver that can bring along a sponsor with his IS the Right driver

Another possibility is Truex to Penske replacing Sam Hornish who will definately re-evaluate and see which grass is greener after this year.

IMO I think Hornish wants to stay in NASCAR.  He's already shown marked improvement this year over last year,.. and if he improves at all this season I see him Staying in CUP

[DougS]

This morning on the speed pre race show Hermie Sadler stated that BPS was under contract through 2010. Jayski quoted Sadler and EGR's President Steve Lauletta  stating that BPS doesn't have an out.

So either EGR doesn't have thier PR dept cleaned up yet, or every report last year and early in the year this year were false and there are no stipulations about running cars and team performance.

Amazing how far a company sinks when it's turned over to a music executive. Now if they could just stop digging holes for themselves.

[flamehothead]

I don't think we will see Truex at SHR for this reason.

I think Stewart wants to get both cars running well week in and week out and right now thats not happening. We know Newman can wheel a race car so I personally think thats what they are going to work on for a while. Adding another team IMO would just take from the task at hand, Getting Newman better.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I was hoping Truex would have bailed on DEI last year. I guess the money was to good. Now, there is no DEI. Chip and Dale racing is an inbred team going nowhere. Truex should get out of there ASAP unless he wants to be a martyr. Marty the Martyr. Nice ring. No future.

 Shayne

[Chris]

This morning on the speed pre race show Hermie Sadler stated that BPS was under contract through 2010. Jayski quoted Sadler and EGR's President Steve Lauletta  stating that BPS doesn't have an out.

So either EGR doesn't have thier PR dept cleaned up yet, or every report last year and early in the year this year were false and there are no stipulations about running cars and team performance

I guess you hear everything.. so no one knows WHAT to believe.
I know it was discussed on TV yesterday that BPS and Truex DID have an out if Truex didn't have the proper number of team-mates.

[scott b]

I still expect Truex and BPS will leave together at the end of the season, and land at Stewart-Haas.  Gibbs and other teams looking to add a car could make a pitch, though. A driver who brings a sponsor along is going to get attention.

As far as anything happening right now, I don't see it.  I would think the soonest Truex leaves would be if he missed the cut for the chase, and finished out the season with his 2010 team.  More likely, it will be an offseason move.

[DougS]

I wonder if we should start a poll on when Truex announces his next year plans?

[Tyyrus]

I guess I'am in the Majority , Truex to JGR ! This would be the best fit and would provide additional aid to youngin Logano.
Just cannot see Martin remaining with EGR next season unless he has a gun to his head !