DEI announces Mark Martin schedule

Martin, Dale Earnhardt Inc. Announce 2008 Sprint Cup Schedule; Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400 highlight Martin's 26-event schedule

Mooresville, N.C. (Jan. 7, 2008) -- Mark Martin will race in 26 Sprint Cup events in 2008, including 24 point races and two non-point events. Martin will kick off the 2008 season and his tenure in the No. 8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet with his record-extending 20th-consecutive Budweiser Shootout. Highlights of Martin's 2008 schedule include the 50th running of the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Sprint Cup All-Star event.

Martin will share the No. 8 ride with rookie Aric Almirola, who will run the remaining 12 events in the car. Martin will enter in the first four point races of the season before handing the wheel over to Almirola at Bristol (March 16) and Martinsville (March 30).

"I think it's going to be an exciting season," said Martin, who will enter his 26th year of Cup racing. "I'm so excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet and to be working with Tony Gibson (crew chief) and the No. 8 Team. It's an incredible honor to drive the No. 8 car for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and we are excited about moving into the season.

"Those guys on this team really had some fast cars a year ago, and we are looking to build on that. Our goal is to be competitive and race up front this season."

Martin will compete in both the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 before making his 700th career start at California Speedway in February.

Martin has combined for 156 top-five, 246 top-10s and 21 wins at the 16 tracks that make up his 2008 schedule. In addition, he has one win in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (1999) and two wins in the Nextel All-Star Challenge (1998 and 2005).

MARK MARTIN'S 2008 SPRINT CUP SCHEDULE

Date   Race

Feb. 9  Budweiser Shootout/Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 17  Daytona 500

Feb. 24  California Speedway

Mar. 2  Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Mar. 9  Atlanta Motor Speedway

Apr. 6  Texas Motor Speedway

Apr. 12  Phoenix International Raceway

May 3  Richmond International Raceway

May 10  Darlington Raceway

May 17  Sprint All-Star Challenge (Lowe's)

May 25  Coca-Cola 600/Lowe's Motor Speedway

June 1  Dover International Raceway

June 8  Pocono Raceway

June 15  Michigan International Speedway

July 5  Daytona International Speedway

July 12  Chicagoland Speedway

July 27  Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Aug 3  Pocono Raceway

Aug. 17  Michigan International Speedway

Sept. 6  Richmond International Raceway

Sept. 21  Dover International Raceway

Sept. 28  Kansas Speedway

Oct. 11  Lowe's Motor Speedway

Oct. 26  Atlanta Motor Speedway

Nov. 2  Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 16  Homestead-Miami Speedway