Jr. leaving DEI

[Popeye]

Never thought I'd see the day!!!!!! But it's true. In a press conference today Dale Earnhart Jr. said he couldn't come to agreement with his stepmother and leaving DEI at the end of the season. Pat

[TheRic]

I'll admit I'm NOT a Jr. fan, but I think the move is good for him. He is stepping out on his own. I think he is tired of being known as Dale's kid. By cutting ties with DEI, he is making the steps in that direction.

How he goes with will be interesting. He said it's not the money that is going to make the decision. He wants to move in the direction that will give him more wins, and hopefully a championship.

Right now it looks like Hendricks Motor Sports, Richard Childless Racing, and JR Motorsports (his own company, and lease engines from HMS, or RCR). I think personally think HMS will would be better. Owning a startup team and driving is not the easiest thing to do, look at Micheal Walltrip. Going with RCR puts him back in following his dads footsteps.

[radhak]

Um...who is this chap? and what is DEI? Is that a tv serial? (because you mentioned 'season', and 'stepmother')

[esqualey]

Not Hendrick

I agree it is good to see him get out on his own. However, Hendrick is out because they have a 4 car team already. I personally believe he will drive for Childress or (me hoping here) Gibbs.

[cabinetman]

I don't follow the guys that drive in circles. But I did catch some of the press conference, and it's a case of him getting too big for his britches. Some guys are never satisfied. Bet the tickets go up in price.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Um...who is this chap? and what is DEI? Is that a tv serial? (because you mentioned 'season', and 'stepmother')

Jr. is Dale Earnhart Jr. and the "season" is the Nascar Nextel Cup Racing Season and his stepmother is Theresa Earnhardt. And DEI, is Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, a racing team organization.

I am sad to see him leave an organization that his dad started for his family but if you can't reach an agreement then he needs to move on. I hope to see him go with a team where he is going to win more and get a championship. Dale Jr. is one of my favorite drivers, I have a couple that I really cheer for but I like most of them.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

I don't follow the guys that drive in circles. But I did catch some of the press conference, and it's a case of him getting too big for his britches. Some guys are never satisfied. Bet the tickets go up in price.

I don't think its a case of him getting to big for his britches, but a case of carrying on his fathers legacy and name. DEI, is something his father started because of his kids. I can understand him wanting to have some ownership of the company and a controlling part of it. And what does him leaving DEI have to do with the tickets going up in price? I don't think they will at all.

[Black wallnut]

I'm thinking that it ain't over yet. One season without Jr. and Teresa is gonna be offering him the farm to get him back! Without Jr. there is no DEI!!!!

If Teresa ever wakes up and realizes she knows exaclty zilch about racing and running a team, and that her admininstration is part of the reason the Bid car has not done better, then and only then might she realize what an asset Jr. is to the company.

Either way I think Jr should drive for a different owner but he should run DEI! Dale did it that way and made it work.

As far as Jr. getting too big for his britches....not only is he the #1 driver with the fans, his sponser also got the most airtime last season. Not too bad for a "only made the Chase" car IMHO!

[TheRic]

I agree it is good to see him get out on his own. However, Hendrick is out because they have a 4 car team already. I personally believe he will drive for Childress or (me hoping here) Gibbs.

Hendrick COULD get rid of 1 of there drivers, probably Mears, maybe K. Busch. Don't see them cutting Johnson in the near future, and Gordon has a lifetime contract. They may have to pay off the persons contract but it might be worth it to them. Gibbs is also a possibility, but I have not heard anything about Jr. talking with them. I have heard Jr. and Tony Eury Jr. talking with both RCR and HMS. Also keep in mind that Jr. says he want to stay racing with Chevy.

I'm thinking that it ain't over yet. One season without Jr. and Teresa is gonna be offering him the farm to get him back! Without Jr. there is no DEI!!!!

If Teresa ever wakes up and realizes she knows exactly zilch about racing and running a team, and that her admininstration is part of the reason the Bid car has not done better, then and only then might she realize what an asset Jr. is to the company.

Either way I think Jr should drive for a different owner but he should run DEI! Dale did it that way and made it work.

Keep in Mind that Jr. already owns a JR Motorsports. They have about 70 employees. They have cars in Busch and Craftsman series. They do not race in Nextel, YET.

I agree that Teresa is NOT helping things. Sounds like there is too much money not going back into the race program. There have been talks for the last several weeks between a merger with DEI (Chevy) and Yates (Ford). If they merge they are leaning towards Ford. If they merge it is the end of DEI in more than one way. So there will be no going back.

If DEI does not merge, in about 3-5 years it could be had (if anything left) for a song and dance. I don't see DEI being successful in the near future without a merger, since Jr.'s popularity is/was the only thing keeping it going.

[ejs1097]

This will be very interesting to see how it pans out. The last thing I see is Jr racing for hendrick. That stable is all about giving the whole orginization and good stuff to Gordon and Johnson and throwing scrapes to the other teams. Look at the #25 and #5 since #24 came to town.

I think it boils down to winning. It probably kills Jr being the most popular driver and having 10th place cars at best everyweek. sometimes they get lucky but he hasn't been competive in a while. I agree, the shop isn't doing a good enough job getting good cars out there.

His sister doesn't want to race cup and he's said JRM's mission is the build young drivers, I don't see JRM starting a cup team. RCR or Gibbs would be a nice fit, I couldn't imagine seing Jr drive a Ford though.

At least this will provide lots of fodder for the rest of the season.

[Russianwolf]

Still can't figure out how they can legitimately call any of those cars Chevys, Fords or Dodges.


He should go race for Petty.

[ejs1097]

Still can't figure out how they can legitimately call any of those cars Chevys, Fords or Dodges.


He should go race for Petty.

You forgot Toyota haha.

Not too much 'stock' anymore. basically just the engine block and the general shape. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the fenders and hood have to be stock...well at least the same dimisions. Heck most of the makes are only available in 4 doors and of course they drive 2 doors.

[ironhat]

Another DEI sinker - Budweiser going wherever Dale Jr goes. Sponser follow the money drivers. Makes me wonder why UPS is still with Dale Jarrett, although I still like the guy.