Dale Earnhardt, Jr announces he is leaving DEI at the end of the season
Quote selected text Published May 10th, 2007 in NASCAR News
In an announcement Thursday morning, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated that he will leave the company founded by his late father at the end of the year in a shake-up certain to ignite a bidding war for NASCAR’s most popular driver.
He told Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Thursday that he had decided to make the switch to another team when his contract expires.
“We worked really hard, but we were never close,” Earnhardt said of negotiations with DEI. “I am a little sad, but I am trying to remind myself to be excited about what’s ahead.”
Earnhardt had asked for 51 percent ownership of the team now run by his stepmother, Teresa. Negotiations on a contract extension began before the season and have been tense all along. Earnhardt’s sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, had set a deadline to get the deal done by the end of the month.
“I’m sad that I have to leave some employees that I got close to, leave some relationships,” Earnhardt said. “We’re going to finish this year out, and I told my guys we’re going to run hard. I don’t want any excuses for us not giving our best effort. I plan on giving everything I’ve got like I always do, and hopefully that’s what I’ll get in return.”
Three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip, one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s friendly rivals, traveled from Nashville at Earnhardt’s request to join him for Thursday’s announcement.
“This was incredibly difficult, a lot of emotion and the hardest thing he’s had to deal with up until now,” Waltrip said of Earnhardt’s decision to leave DEI. “This is a big deal.”
Now, Earnhardt must decide which team is the best fit for him.
“I’ve always thought RCR just because of the Childress-Earnhardt relationship,” said Waltrip of Richard Childress Racing, where the elder Earnhardt won six of his seven championships. “I have personally have always thought the racing world would be right if Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the black No. 3 car.”
Earnhardt has made it clear he wants to be in a Chevrolet next season, but that loyalty could limit his options.
Bookmark to:
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr press conference video
- Kerry Earnhardt to take over testing for Dale Jr. at Daytona
- Statement from Teresa Earnhardt on Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s departure from DEI
- Earnhardt, Jr merchandise sales strong despite leaving DEI
- Earnhardt, Jr thinks a ‘W’ is coming
paint that damn thing black and throw a 3 on it.
After yesterday’s story we were just waiting for verification that
said press conference was going to happen.
This will be interesting. RCR can have another car, Hendrick can’t
and already said he wasn’t planning on it anyway. I’m curious why
there’s not more talk of him going to Gibbs;; it’s a Chevy team
and him and Tony are already pretty good friends. Plus there’s the
teams that’ll try to start up during the off-season, or his own
team. Hmmm, this shall be interesting.
And, I find the fact he’s stepping way out of the comfort zone
commendable. Theresa basically gave him a huge slap to the face
and he didn’t take it. I give him credit for that. Just hope his
career keeps up after stepping into something different.
And I really don’t want him to drive the three car. One side of me
says yeah that’d be kinda cool, but really I just want the car and
number to be retired for good;; let it remain Dale Sr’s trademark
and his alone for the rest of time and I’ll be happy. Have Jr run
a throwback of Ralph’s old paint scheme or something if you want a
nostalgiac car.
The 3 is Back!
HOPEFULLY!
I think he’s very smart for doing this move! I appauld his decision! It should be very interesting to see what happens!
Dale jr is doing the best thing that he can. He has an incredible amount of talent and is obviously being held back by this situation. He is cabable and will win championships if hes in the right position to do so and obviously DEI is not that place . Its apparent when you take appart his team the way that it went in 05 and the fact that other talent has left there as well.,
would the car be painted black if it was sponsored by Budweiser??? or would it be Budwesier Select as that is black and red????
DEI owns the #8…would they lease the number to him or will he be #3?
Its kinda funny that Jr and Childress have been talking for the last year or two about running the #3 again. Also RCR has Happy Harvick now sponsered by Shell, I’m sure GM Goodwrench would love to put their name on a car that is black with the #3 on it and with an Earnhardt behind the wheel.
“At 32 years of age, the same age my father was when he made his final and most important career decision, it’s time for me to compete on a consistent basis and contend for championships now.” Dale Earnhardt Jr said this today at the press conference. Its funny that when Dale Sr made his decision at 32, he went to drive for RCR.
I agree, it is about time he decided to do something to actually make his name more of a threat to the other drivers. He has the talent and potential, just needs to have the support and the cars to do it. I hope he goes to RCR, because they will make sure that it happens. Good Luck Jr.
Cole… You make an awesome point and it gave me goose bumps as I got to the end of your statement. 32 is the age…
I wonder what kind of contract Budweiser has with DEI… I wonder if an Earnhardt in the 3 car would lure GM back, if they ever really even left… I wonder if Childress (or Junior) has had a master plan in the works for the past year. This is the most fascinating stuff in years…
Dude, what if it were dual sponsorship with Bud and GM Goodwrench. Hell, even if it were Bud Select and black like what was mentioned earlier. That would look cool.
It would be Cool to see the #3 back on the track. Either RED with BUDWISER or BLACK with GOODWRENCH. I wish Dale Jr all the luck in the world with this move. I hope that this choice shows everyone what he really can do with the right equipment!
GO DALE JR!
Black and Red #3 GM Goodwrench/Budweiser Select
Thats car would look awesome
Does DEI own the rights to the number(the number not the vehicle) 8??? It was Ralph’s number…
What if he goes to Gibbs??? He is a Redskins fan, a close friend to Stewart and Hamlin, and they place top 10 on a regular basis
best move he could make for himself! dei is a joke with teresa at the wheel. i know that i will get hate mail for this but i think he would be best served going to toyota. it would give him an opertunity to make a new face all his own not not just be dale jr, son of the mighty dale earnhart. plus right now toyota is the only manufactuer without a true powerhouse team. that is where he could truly make himself go from a good driver to one of the greats. also it would releive him from fighting his fathers shadow all the time.
Goodwrench won’t be the title sponsor. GM isn’t in a good financial position right now, their marketing budget is limited to associate partnerships.
The number 3 should not be retired. There is no need to retire any number, color scheme, or marketing partnership.
I would like to see him in a Hendrick car. Obviously if Kyle Busch can win races in their cars, anyone can. Busch can’t drive a sharp stick up a goats ass.
LOL @ Cody’s Busch remark…
Looking at what Ray said, I honestly think him driving a Toyota is a step back, we have all seen how much Toyota is having trouble qualifying, and even when they do make the field, they arent competitive…Jr. wants to win championships and to do so he needs to be with a team that can provide the engine power and ability for him to do so…
And you also said :
” it would give him an opportunity to make a new face all his own not just be dale jr, son of the mighty dale earnhardt. “
His father was/is a legend, there is no way around it, in the end he will always be known as the son of the great Dale Earnhardt…I honestly think he has his own face, and he is just 32, he has a long way to go…he might just end up winning more championships than his father did, but again, he will always be known as the son of the great Dale Earnhardt
I’m happy about this.
His Step mom is a bitch and didn’t want to give him 51% of HIS company.
the ONLY reason she is in charge is because Dale died in 2001 during the 500 on the final lap.
She would have NEVER been in charge if that never happend.
With JR gone DEI is well dead. It sucks but with out an Earnhardt driving for DEI it’s not going to work.
Go to RCR and bring on the black #3 Bud car.
I agree with Breanna The #3 is and should always be a trademark
of Dale sr. Retire the number 3 and let Jr.’s identity be his own.
cody, your wisdom about busch speaks well beyond your
years. as for the rest of the speculation, Budweisers contract IS with Junior not DEI, so that should remain with him. As fas as the #8 that would stay with DEI unless Theresa agrees to let it go with him. What will be interesting to see is where he goes, if not RCR I believe his best option is Joe Gibbs Racing. Theres already 4 big committments at Hendrick and it doesnt seem like it would work for Dale jr.
Senior 32 when he got real serious, Junior 32 when he decides to leave DEI , #8 will have to stay with DEI.
Hey how about #32 Bud Select and Junior goes on to be
the “dominator” that he desires to be. I just know he is capable of doing better that where they have been the past 2 seasons and with the right equipment and no BS
distractions (in management) He will be back to true form.
good for you dale! good luck. i don’t think that dei will be in business for very long and your stepmother will regret not going along with you . you and your sis should have more interest in it than T. E.
Cody,
Dale cant go to Hendrick’s due to the fact that they already at NASCARs limit for teams in one place. But I see your reasonining for saying that. If Kyle Busch can win just about anyone can with that type of backing. If he is looking for a Chevy team he will either go with RCR or Joe Gibbs racing. Dale and Richard Childress have been talking a lot and they already lease engines to Jr Motorsports so it would make a lot of sence to go to RCR. But on the flip side of the coin Joe Gibbs guys have been doing really well this season as well. With Denny placing in the top ten almost every week. Minus Tony’s mishaps and misspoken self he would be up there as well. Tony and JR work well together in the plate races. So either one of them would have room and would be more than willing to put him in a winning car!
No matter what number or who Dale goes with I am behind him 100%. He did whats best with him and thats all he can do! So good luck Dale and know your LOYAL fans are behind you no matter what!
Jordan in resoponce to Toyota being a step back, at the moment this year u might be right. However, Toyota is just learning what it takes to play the game. Look at Dodges first year, now granted Dodge is still lacking but Dodge also isnt in the position like Toyota is to where they can throw tons of $$$$ for r&d, but to do that they need a driver that the younger crowd can relate to. Plus we all know Bud would go with him, which would help tremedously. So i think it would be a good move to get in at Toyotas ground floor. Remember the Japanese refuse to lose!
Also, by making a name for himself i didnt mean any bad by it i just feel hes hurting himself buy racing a ghost all the time.
I hear what you’re saying Ray…I just dont think it would be smart to wait around for results by Toyota and he loves Chevy…
Maybe in a few years after he has won a championship or several he would…but he’ll most probably own the rights to DEI then and will start it back up again, or JR Motorsports will be in the Nextel series by then also…
We’re not going to know anything until this season is done anyway
so how many years do we give DEI? This is litterally career suicide for DEI. Too bad teresa cant see that.
LETS SEE JR GO TO JGR !! I WILL DEFFINATELY APPROVE OF THAT !!
talk about a winning team.. almost too good to be true, really.
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Tony Stewart
Denny Hamlin
JJ Yeley
P E R F E C T.
if jr goes to hendricks..i will loose all respect for him. If he goes to RCR and drives the #3, I will NEVER root for him again. That is disrespect to his father. In any other sport when a player dies, they retire the number. SENIOR DIED DOING WHAT HE LOVED ; RACING. RETIRE THE DAMN NUMBER. Junior is a COMPLETELY different person than his dad. I promise I will never support the Jr name if he takes up the #3 car.
While I respect that everyone has their opinion, I do not agree with Amanda above. If anybody were to run the #3 again, what better person thatn his son. I think people make way too much out of the number thing. Personally, I think it would be great to see Jr with the #3.
theresa, you need to get that pretty head out of your ass!
The whole number thing is amazing. He drove the number 8 after his Grandpa. Why can’t he drive the number 3 after his Dad?? I don’t get why people would be upset. I of course don’t think JR. will drive a #3. He said that in the press Conf. It is a little sentimental to him and he would have to do alot of soul searching as he stated. It doesn’t matter to me what he drives, #, make, model, or with what racing team. I am a die hard Jr. fan and will follow where ever he goes.
First, where jr will go. I think it is logical as the press confrence says that he will go to RCR, it would be the same type of deal he had with his dad a handshake type deal, but he knows he would contend every week and would win a championship, and what better way to start then ‘08 and winning another daytona 500 tens years after his day. yeah i know i am just rambling now lol.. The car he drives, will probably be a #3 but it will be red so in a way yes it will be a 3 car but it will still be under his own identidy not being the black car.
Secondly, i have to take a step back at theresa and her being a bitch about all this, to be honest maybe its about money, or power trip, but here is another scenario to through out, what if holding on to DEI is the only thing keeping her at peace with his death, the only thing that keeps her connected with Dale. I don’t probably a long shot opinion but it is interesting to think about locically anyways.
Oh side note, if he did not want to drive just a three car why not an 03 car i mean you have 01 right lol..
Dale has said that he has no desire to drive the #3 out of respect for his dad, but he might do it at the end of his career. I hope he goes to RCR, since it appears that way IMO. I wish him the best of luck:)
Junior said he needs to do some soul searching before he decides if he wants to drive a car with the number 3 on it.