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closeTruex Jr. launching into leadership role | A Q&A with DEI's Richie Gilmore
Friday, Jun. 15, 2007
Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t left Dale Earnhardt Inc. yet, but in the eyes of many there the organization already has a new leader.
Martin Truex Jr.’s victory two weeks ago at Dover, Del. – his first Nextel Cup Series win – seems to have bolstered Truex’s stock and cemented his role as de facto leader of the organization.
“You know Dale Jr. inherited a little bit of the leadership role but not really ever acted in that role. Nothing against Junior, but he never really wanted that role. He wanted to be one of the guys,” said DEI’s director of motorsports, Richie Gilmore.
“Right now we’re excited that Martin has stepped up. He’s in the shop. He’s a great mentor for Paul (Menard). Martin is our guy, he’s our leader. That win has done wonders for him.”
Gilmore remains busy looking to fill two potential roster spots at DEI – a driver to replace Earnhardt Jr. and for a planned fourth Cup team.
“We definitely have interest in talking with Kyle. We have an opening. We really have two because we want to get our fourth (team) together,” Gilmore said. “Kyle is a hot commodity. He’s a great race car driver with a lot of talent.
“We actually would like to find a veteran, whether that be our third or our fourth driver. Look at what Jeff Burton has done at RCR. He has become a solid cornerstone of that organization.”
