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MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Thursday that Tony Eury Jr. has signed a long-term contract to remain with the team.
"Having such a loyal employee and talented crew chief like Tony as part of DEI on a long-term basis was an important objective for the continuity of our program," said Teresa Earnhardt, president and CEO of DEI.
Currently the crew chief for Michael Waltrip, Eury Jr. previously was the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. However, despite a solid 2004 season in which Earnhardt qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup, he slipped in the final 10 races to finish fifth in points -- a two-position drop from '03.
"I couldn't be happier," said Eury, a 14-year employee of the company. "I've spent many years with DEI and always planned to be for a long time to come. With all the outside distractions now behind us, we can focus on winning races."
Before the season, DEI looked to bolster both of its Cup teams by swapping the crews of the Nos. 8 and 15, with Eury moving over to run Waltrip's team and Pete Rondeau leading Earnhardt's crew.
The swap eventually led to Rondeau being replaced by Steve Hmiel as crew chief of the No. 8 team. Waltrip also has announced his decision to leave DEI at the end of the season, and speculation remains that Earnhardt and Eury could be reunited.
"We'll let you guys worry yourselves about what we're going to do in the future," Earnhardt said after Waltrip's decision. "We're just going to concentrate on one week at a time. I think once we get to the end of the season, we'll have a real clear picture about of what might be the best for us to do."
Entering Michigan, Earnhardt is 15th in the standings, 163 points behind 10th-place Carl Edwards in the Race for the Chase with four races remaining until the 10-race playoffs begin at New Hampshire on Sept. 18.
Waltrip is 21st with no hope of making the Chase.
For 2006 NASCAR competition, DEI plans to field the Nos. 1, 8 and 15 cars on the Nextel Cup Series circuit; and the Nos. 8 and 11 cars on the Busch Series circuit.
"Having such a loyal employee and talented crew chief like Tony as part of DEI on a long-term basis was an important objective for the continuity of our program," said Teresa Earnhardt, president and CEO of DEI.
Currently the crew chief for Michael Waltrip, Eury Jr. previously was the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. However, despite a solid 2004 season in which Earnhardt qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup, he slipped in the final 10 races to finish fifth in points -- a two-position drop from '03.
"I couldn't be happier," said Eury, a 14-year employee of the company. "I've spent many years with DEI and always planned to be for a long time to come. With all the outside distractions now behind us, we can focus on winning races."
Before the season, DEI looked to bolster both of its Cup teams by swapping the crews of the Nos. 8 and 15, with Eury moving over to run Waltrip's team and Pete Rondeau leading Earnhardt's crew.
The swap eventually led to Rondeau being replaced by Steve Hmiel as crew chief of the No. 8 team. Waltrip also has announced his decision to leave DEI at the end of the season, and speculation remains that Earnhardt and Eury could be reunited.
"We'll let you guys worry yourselves about what we're going to do in the future," Earnhardt said after Waltrip's decision. "We're just going to concentrate on one week at a time. I think once we get to the end of the season, we'll have a real clear picture about of what might be the best for us to do."
Entering Michigan, Earnhardt is 15th in the standings, 163 points behind 10th-place Carl Edwards in the Race for the Chase with four races remaining until the 10-race playoffs begin at New Hampshire on Sept. 18.
Waltrip is 21st with no hope of making the Chase.
For 2006 NASCAR competition, DEI plans to field the Nos. 1, 8 and 15 cars on the Nextel Cup Series circuit; and the Nos. 8 and 11 cars on the Busch Series circuit.
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