Norris Rips EGR's Stability

Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris offered up some scathing commentary on his former team yesterday.

Asked about Martin Truex, Jr.'s recently announced jump from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing to MWR, Norris said, “Martin’s loyalty has kept him where he currently sits for a couple of years too long. That is an organization that has been in flux every year that he has been driving for them. In 2007… the whole season was about Dale Jr. leaving. In 2008, it was about the merger with Ginn. And this year, it was the merger with Ganassi.

They’ve moved three times, and… I don’t think the stability to be able to compete against the Hendricks and the Roushes and the Gibbses has been there.”

For his part, Truex said uncertainty over the future of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing played a major role in his decision to jump to Michael Waltrip Motorports in 2010. “For me, there was a lot less in question (at MWR)," said Truex. "They were able to answer more questions. It was easier to see where they were heading, (and) the picture was just a lot more clear.”

Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Truex said he remains committed to Earnhardt-Ganassi through the end of the season, a fact that DEI General Manager Jeff Steiner confirmed in an exclusive interview with Sirius Speedway yesterday. There are reports that Truex’s longtime crewchief, Kevin “Bono” Manion, will join his driver at MWR next season, but Steiner said he expects Manion to remain in his current position.

No Hard Feelings: Tony Stewart says he spoke to Kyle Busch yesterday, and that there are no hard feelings following their last-lap crash in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. He said the two agreed that the crash was nothing more than a racing incident, and will move on to Chicagoland Speedway Saturday night with a clean slate.

More Races For Smith: Furniture Row Racing Team Manager Joe Garoni says the team hopes to add races to its 2009 schedule soon. "We're looking at adding some more races as we move forward," said Garone, "and we're working hard to get sponsors to run a full season next year.” Driver Regan Smith was originally scheduled to run just 12 races this season, but the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the year told Sirius Speedway Monday that the team has already decided to add the August 22 race at Bristol Motor Speedway to their schedule.