Dale Jr prepares to leave the team his Dad built
15 Comments Published November 7th, 2007 in NASCAR News
The future and the familiar collided again for Dale Earnhardt Jr. during a test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 29.
As he strode toward the Hendrick Motorsports car he will drive next season, he passed by a garage stall where several longtime crewmembers — some known to him by nicknames such as “Two Beer” — were preparing the No. 8 car he has driven in Nextel Cup races since 2000.
“It’s weird seeing my guys helping another guy go fast, and then you come back (Friday at Texas Motor Speedway), and they’re working to help you go fast,” Earnhardt Jr. says. “I don’t necessarily want to make these moments last, but I’m going to miss my guys bad. I’m ready to get focused 100% on next year, and at the same time, I can’t.”
As his career with the team founded by his father nears an end, Earnhardt Jr. is racing with one eye on ensuring the family legacy is secure and the other on seizing control of his image by aligning with Hendrick and a bevy of new sponsors (Mountain Dew/Amp energy drink, the National Guard, Sony, adidas) while bidding goodbye to Budweiser.
The marriage of NASCAR’s most powerful team — which includes this season’s Chase for the Nextel Cup leaders Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon— and the sport’s most popular driver will bring as much scrutiny as any union between Hollywood celebrities but perhaps not as much as the divorce of Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). Interestingly, many of the changes Earnhardt Jr. pushed for without success have been addressed by DEI since his announcement to leave in May.
After two more races, the team will sever official ties with the 33-year-old who once stood first in its line of succession. There aren’t many lingering feelings of bitterness or betrayal — just a difference of opinion on how to do business.
More at USA Today
I dont know about everyone else, but I am certainly way over the media making a big deal about this. Look Kyle Petty didnt always drive for his dads team, and many other father/son/family teams have split up and gotten back together in the future. Dale, Kerry, Kelly will all get controll of DEI when the time is right, and as of now the time isnt right.
Kyle Petty sucks..dont make no difference where he goes..like michael waltrip..he went to toyota..all that money..he still sucks and barely makes races…thats why its talked bout..if u dont like it..change the channel, stop checking websites and ignore it..ok..thank you very much!
Im gonna be sad the last race at homestead but I look at it as a new start for Jr and I am so excited for the 2008 season.
If Ralhp wanted his boy to have the company he would’ve put it in the will. Oh and BTW I know people that know Jr and have been around him during this tiem, and it wasnt so much him wanting the company, it was Kelly wanting the company.
Fisha695,
Ralhp never owned the company. Dale Sr did and Jr was a big part of its success. You might think it was Dale Srs Dad “Ralph , but it was not. I am not sure about the Kelly comment but the kids should have some prt of the business.
[quote comment="29693"]Fisha695,
Ralhp never owned the company. Dale Sr did and Jr was a big part of its success. You might think it was Dale Srs Dad “Ralph , but it was not. I am not sure about the Kelly comment but the kids should have some prt of the business.[/quote]
Do your research, both Dale sr and Dale jr’s first name is Ralph, not Dale.
Darell, i do not know where u come off saying Kyle Petty and Micheal Waltrip suck, there both great drivers and have shown that, it depends on the equipment they run. Obviously u never saw any races Kyle ran in the late 80′s early 90′s, he was very good. Then look at Micheal, he didnt do good until he got with DEI and won 2 Daytona 500′s.
And Fisha is right, their names are Ralph Dale Earnhardt.
As for Jr., hes been my favorite since the busch series when he started, I hope Fisha is right and agree that it may happen, that Jr. will someday take over DEI.
While Jr is leaving the team his father built, it shouldn’t be ignored that he is right now building his own team and his own brand that will someday surpass DEI. And by someday I mean in the next 5 years. A lot of people focused on Jr wanting 51% majority ownership, and that Teresa wasn’t willing to give it. Well Jr was never asking her to leave DEI altogether, but rather he wanted a bigger stake in not only what his father started, but what he was about to bring to the company. Due to stubborness, now Teresa nor DEI will benefit from any of Jr’s future earning power. It wasn’t wrong for Jr to look around and say “hey I am DEI right now.” I want a bigger stake.” Now Rick Hendrick will benefit from deals with Sony, Adidas, etc. It didn’t have to be that way, but the rich will get much richer instead of DEI joining Hendrick as a top tier team. JR Motorsports and Dale Jr will do just fine, he didn’t really need to inherit DEI, he just probably wanted to. He would have actually been doing Teresa a favor and fattening her pockets. Instead she will probably be forced to sell the team within 2 years or so.
Drivers not able to perform because of substandard equipment is a tired excuse.
You’re leaving what was Oz. Run!!!!!
[quote comment="29701"]While Jr is leaving the team his father built, it shouldn’t be ignored that he is right now building his own team and his own brand that will someday surpass DEI. And by someday I mean in the next 5 years. A lot of people focused on Jr wanting 51% majority ownership, and that Teresa wasn’t willing to give it. Well Jr was never asking her to leave DEI altogether, but rather he wanted a bigger stake in not only what his father started, but what he was about to bring to the company. Due to stubborness, now Teresa nor DEI will benefit from any of Jr’s future earning power. It wasn’t wrong for Jr to look around and say “hey I am DEI right now.” I want a bigger stake.” Now Rick Hendrick will benefit from deals with Sony, Adidas, etc. It didn’t have to be that way, but the rich will get much richer instead of DEI joining Hendrick as a top tier team. JR Motorsports and Dale Jr will do just fine, he didn’t really need to inherit DEI, he just probably wanted to. He would have actually been doing Teresa a favor and fattening her pockets. Instead she will probably be forced to sell the team within 2 years or so.[/quote]
Amen !!!!!!!!
[quote comment="29695"][quote comment="29693"]Fisha695,
Ralhp never owned the company. Dale Sr did and Jr was a big part of its success. You might think it was Dale Srs Dad “Ralph , but it was not. I am not sure about the Kelly comment but the kids should have some prt of the business.[/quote]
Do your research, both Dale sr and Dale jr’s first name is Ralph, not Dale.[/quote]
Name one time either one went by Ralph!
I call them by that just to tick off their bandwaggon fans. Personally Im a Petty (Richard & Kyle) fan, so I never got into the whole Sr/Jr thing, and the true fans I can stand its just the bandwaggoners that I cant stand.
Dark Knight well written
I for one wished JR. could take over DEI, it did not happen so I wish him all the best for the next years. He earned everything he has. Teresa said he could have the #8 if she could have some of the proceeds from sales of his many items. He said no, GOODBY TERESA