And now we might all have to get used to someone other than Earnhardt in the 8 car and it could be Martin.
He wants to again run a partial schedule next year – about 26 races, he says – and Almirola would fill in for him at the other 10 races.
Earnhardt has only been in the 8 since 2000 but it has become such a strong part of his identity in the past eight seasons that DEI needs some big shoes to fill his seat and Martin could probably do it…on the track at least. No one can bring DEI the off-track attention that Earnhardt did. Jaynelle Ramon, AzStarNet
Barring a last-minute change, Nextel Cup Series veteran Mark Martin and rookie Aric Almirola will become the drivers of Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s No. 8 Chevrolet next season, The Charlotte Observer has learned.
Martin and Almirola, who currently drive the No. 01, which was acquired by DEI through a merger with Ginn Racing earlier this season, are also expected to be joined by sponsor Army next season in the No. 8, multiple sources said Thursday. JIM UTTER - The Charlotte Observer
Siegel made it clear that the company has every intention of continuing to use the No. 8 and hopes to name a driver for that car within the next couple of weeks. Insiders have indicated the ride could be shared next season between Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, similar to the veteran/mentor gameplan Ginn Racing established at the start of the season with Martin and Regan Smith. The popularity of a driver like Martin would placate many of the Junior fans in the short term. Lee Spencer, FOXSports.com
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