Word came this week that Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing would be shutting down the 8 car driven by Aric Almirola. The decision came on the basis of low funding due to a lack of sponsorship. With the history of DEI and the historical significance of the number 8 that alone makes this a bigger story than just the parking of a number made famous by Ralph Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt,Jr. This apparently is shaping up to be quite a bombshell in the sport.
Race City, USA is all abuzz with details surrounding the 8 car officially shutting down. Most of the rumors center around the fact that it could ultimately void Martin Truex's current contract. You see back in 2007 Max Siegel and DEI put together a new contract for Truex after word had gotten out that Dale Jr was leaving DEI. One of the clauses in the contract states that Truex should have no less than two full-time teammates during the course of the year. If such a situation were to occur it would void Truex's contract thus allowing him to vacate the Bass Pro Shops Chevy he currently drives.
This is significant in that if Truex decides to enforce the clause it could shut down EGR for good. One rumor that won't go away has Truex leaving for the 20 car to replace Joey Logano. With Logano struggling to get a handle on the COT car Joe Gibbs Racing has entertained the idea of adding a fourth team to help Logano slowly transition into full-time Cup Racing.
Another rumor out there has Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats leaving the 1 car to pick up the sponsorship slack for the 39 car driven by Ryan Newman. Tony Stewart and Bass Pro Shops already have a working relationship going back to his time at JGR and his days as a USAC and World of Outlaws car owner.
Whatever is or is not the truth we already know that the first domino has fallen. It will be interesting to see how this plays out by next week's race at Phoenix. If Truex decides to pull the trigger it could be the beginning of something big but more importantly the end of something great.
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Tony Stewart stated back when Dale Jr. left DEI, that within two years DEI would become a museum. Looks like Tony is not only a good race car driver, he is pretty smart too. It would be bad for this to happen, but like the old saying goes: Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Things went down hill quick after Dale Jr. left.
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