Martin To Drive No. 8 In '08

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will be introduced as next season's drivers for the No. 8 at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in two weeks at Richmond International Speedway barring a last-minute objection from sponsors, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com.

Martin To Drive #8 Car Next Year

This announcement comes on the heels of Dale Jr. announcing that he will be leaving DEI at the end of the current season. Earnhardt will be filling the seat that will be vacated by Kyle Busch at the end of the year. Busch is the leading canidate for the #18 Joe Gibbs entry next year when current driver J.J. Yeley's contract with Gibbs expires at the end of the year.

It is also rumored that Martin will bring the U.S. Army sponsorship over in what basically amounts to a driver swap from the #01 to the #8. Also, the number eight itself will stay with DEI for 2008. This is due to NASCAR owning the numbers that teams use. Rumors were circulating that Earnhardt would bring the #8 with him. However, that will not occur due to NASCAR's ruling.

Silly season has just gotten started folks!

Whhaaa? The last I heard Mark Martin was Retiring after last season.Oh boy I have been spending too much time on ATS.He is a great driver, no matter who's team he is on,or what number he sports on his car.However the young upstarts are always there to give him a run for his money.Mark baby, just keep Jeff in your rearview mirror eating your dust and AccessDenied is a happy Camper.

Can you say that the silly season is in full swing? Even Jeremy Mayfield is rumored to be a DEI driver next year.