NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. nearing decision on which team he’ll join for 2010 and beyond

NASCAR driver Truex nearing a decision on future

DOVER, Del. — Martin Truex Jr. has a gut feeling about which team he’ll join for the 2010 season and expects to announce that decision in the next few weeks.

Truex is in a contract year with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, but declined to give any hints about which team he’ll race with next season. The impending free agent ranks a mediocre 18th in the Sprint Cup points standings heading into Sunday’s race.

Speaking Friday at Dover International Speedway, Truex said he’s not worried about where he’ll race next year.

“The picture is pretty clear for me right now,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with the way things have gone. I think in the next few weeks everyone will know what’s going on. The picture’s kind of clear for me so I’m not really worried about it too much.”

He qualified 15th on Friday at the site of his only career Cup victory in 2007 and believes he can repeat the feat.

“The way our car’s been running here lately, I think we’ll be really good,” he said.

If Truex doesn’t re-sign with EGR, he could jump to the No. 55 of Michael Waltrip Racing if Michael Waltrip steps out of the car. MWR recently signed Truex’s teenage brother to a developmental contract.

Truex said his brother has given him a better idea of how the MWR organization is run.

“They seem like a great organization,” Truex said. “They’ve come a long way. They’ve got a lot going for them.”

David Reutimann scored his first career Cup victory for MWR on Monday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Reutimann made a pitch for Truex to join the team if a spot opens up.

“I feel like a year ago you couldn’t say that anybody would want to come to Michael Waltrip Racing as far behind as we were,” Reutimann said. “Now I think people are actually seeing the progress.”

Truex is close friends with former DEI teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. and saw up close how much impending free agency can weigh on a driver. Truex’s decision won’t receive nearly the scrutiny that Earnhardt’s did in 2007 when he left Dale Earnhardt Inc. Earnhardt knew the risks in making a move, and Truex understands he has to be smart with his decision.

“When you think about doing things like this, it’s not about the risk or the chance of failing,” he said. “It’s about taking the chance to do something great and get to the next level.”

Truex signed a one-year contract last year to remain with Dale Earnhardt Inc., hoping to help turn around the struggling team. DEI merged with Chip Ganassi Racing a few months later.

He won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500, but has finished 22nd or higher in three of the last four races.