Martin Truex Jr. has four Busch Series victories this season. Credit: Autostock

Truex Jr. inks three-year extension with DEI

Deal announced mere minutes after Daytona victory

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Loyalty, consistency and friendship Friday night compelled Busch Series point leader Martin Truex Jr. to sign a three-year contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.

Credit: Autostock

Results Winn-Dixie 250 Pos. Driver Make 1. Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 2. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 3. Greg Biffle Ford 4. Kenny Wallace Ford 5. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Complete results, click here Standings, click here Victory LaneMartin Truex Jr. celebrates his win at Daytona Final lapsTruex Jr. races to the checkers Top finishersBiffle and Harvick on their Daytona finishes Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"We sat down about an hour before the race, and we finally got it done -- I signed the contract," Truex said in his media briefing after he won the Winn-Dixie 250 -- his fourth victory this season as he defends his 2004 Busch championship.

At the end of last season, DEI announced plans for Truex to compete this season for the Busch Series championship and for his Chance 2 Motorsports team to move, intact to the Nextel Cup Series in 2006 with the same Bass Pro Shops sponsorship. But Truex's current contract expires at the end of this season.

"No more questions about (the contract)," Truex said. "We can focus on racing and everybody can focus on the job my team's doing and the cars they're giving me week in and week out."

Truex said his team talked everything over.

"We had a big meeting before the race with my team and we talked about what was going on and why all the rumors were out there and what we were going through.

"The reasons I stayed are real simple. The friendships I've made and the amount of work these guys have put in -- the way they've stood behind me the last two and a half years is really incredible and it's just hard to leave that.

"I'm real happy to be here for the next three years, we're going to get this thing turned around -- win this championship this year I hope and be strong next year in the Cup Series."

Truex said that he and the principals at DEI had simply been too busy over the past two months to finish his contract extension, which in turn propelled him into the midst of the rumor mill.

"We got it all straightened out and everybody's happy on both sides," Truex said. "I'm glad it's out of the way and that I don't have to answer any more questions or read all over the Internet that I'll be driving this car or that car (because) I'm proud of where I'm at."

Prompted by a question about an offer of the No. 2 Penske Racing Dodge for next season, Truex did not deny it, but said he wasn't tempted to switch.

"There were some offers out there, some interest in me," Truex said. "But there was nothing that really went anywhere, I didn't think.

"You've got to explore your options and see what everybody had to offer. But I want to do what's best for me and for my career. I want to win races, win championships and I want to be around for a long time.

"I tried really hard to stay where I'm at. I just feel like the loyalty they've shown to me is something I needed to return. I just made so many friends over there -- I pull into DEI and I know everybody there, and they're all great people."