The news at DEI continues to grow more gloomy. Martin Truex Jr. just reported that his sponsor, Bass Pro Shops, has pulled back on their full-time sponsorship, leaving DEI scrambling yet again for funding for the new year.
Truex also shared that the team may be only able to field three cars, if that, because of the sponsorship crunch. Some are reporting that DEI will definitely be down to just two cars for the 2009 season.
DEI stalwart Max Siegel has also left the team for greener pastures. He will be involved in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program and other endeavors.
But just when it seems that things are at their lowest at this house that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. built, some good news has appeared on the horizon.
On Claire B. Lang's Blog, she announces that Kerry Earnhardt, the son of the legend, will be driving the No. 8 DEI car in the July 4 Daytona 250 Nationwide race. He will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops in this event.
Kerry is currently working at DEI as a team liaison. He is also integrally involved in his son Jeffrey's developmental driver career.
Earnhardt is quoted as saying that "I appreciate DEI giving me the opportunity to get back in a car; especially one that I know will be fast and competitive. I love running the speedways and can't wait for the weekend to get here."
This will be Kerry's 70th start in the series, but only his fifth start since 2003. Earnhardt has competed in the Camping World East series, as well as the Truck series.
So, will Kerry Earnhardt be that one bright spot for the new Earnhardt Ganassi team? Only time will tell, but they surely need some good news in the midst of their impending disaster.
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