Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s sister Kelley responds to DEI situation, Teresa Earnhardt comments
Quote selected text Published January 5th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Thursday [Jan 4th] on “The Morning Drive” on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, hosts Marty Snider and David Poole spoke with Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Dale Jr.’s sister and JR Motorsports executive…
On Dale Jr.s’ contract with DEI:
Kelley Earnhardt Elledge: “Well, we are continuing to negotiate with DEI and it is our hope and intent that we can remain a driver there for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and to carry on what my dad has started in the late 90s but we haven’t come to terms on anything yet. It’s our hope that we have something about mid-year that we can announce our direction and maybe even sooner if we can get things worked out. It’s just a very lengthy process. There are a lot of variables for all of us to contemplate.
Obviously they’ve added new staff over there so as the new people come on board, maybe they have some new ideas and changes as we continue down the path and try to negotiate with them. We’ve been negotiating for about four months, I would say, and there’s just a lot to think about on both sides of the plate. So, to date we haven’t come to terms on any kind of agreement but we’re working diligently at it and we hope to be able to announce something in probably mid-year of 2007.”
On Teresa’s comments on Dale Jr. in the Wall Street Journal:
In the December 14 article on new DEI executive Max Siegal, Teresa Earnhardt was quoted as saying about Dale Jr., “Right now the ball’s in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality.”
Earnhardt Elledge: “I was surprised at the comment. I think Dale was surprised at the comment. But I think most everybody in the industry knows that Dale’s focus has been at its highest. His number one desire and his passion is driving that race car and that’ll never change. He’s not interested in the business and the personality in the way that he is with the race car. And I don’t think any of the drivers are. When you’re a race car driver your passion is the excitement and what you get out of the feel of that race car. I’ve been in the race car and I know how that feels. We have a strong staff here at JR Motorsports that handles the business side so he can concentrate on driving.”
“Being a public personality comes with the territory of being a public sports figure and Dale is the most popular driver, voted by the fans for the fourth year in a row. He’s the son of Dale Earnhardt. That, in itself, lends it to being a public personality and it just comes with who he is. He is extremely marketable. He’s extremely popular. He’s very true to himself. He’s very authentic and that’s why the fans, that’s why other entertainers, other music entertainers, that’s why they like him and want him to be a part of things.” “We haven’t been able to speak to Teresa about exactly what she meant with the statement but it is part of who he is and who he is as a race car driver but his number one focus is being competitive in that race car. If he’s not doing that he’s not having fun and the rest of it doesn’t matter to him.”
“The Morning Drive” airs weekdays (7-11am/et) exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio / Channel 128.
Bookmark to:
- Earnhardt’s sister to have surgery, DEI negotiations on hold
- TMS to change billboard at request of Kelley Earnhardt Elledge
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stars in Upcoming Episode of SPEED Reality Series ‘Payback’
- Earnhardt Elledge to ‘get back to work’ soon
- Earnhardt, Jr fires back at stepmom, ownership a stumbling block for Jr to return to DEI
I think on Jr.’s end he should as most business personnel keep his options open..as far as Teresa is concerned, I think whoever is feeding her head full of CRAP should be fired and she remember that as MOST owners know, they work for the DRIVER…It’s them that has the talent, not the other way around. I think Kelley is great at representing Dale, she doesn’t get half the credit she deserves. But all in all, I hope it all works out for the best whether Dale leaves DEI or not…he’ll race another day with or without Teresa. It is a shame to see all this happening between family, and all because what A LOT of us feel is Jr. getting use of his OWN name!! Can’t rule em’ forever, kids DO grow up!
Ive said it before I think Jr would be a great fit at JGR [thats joe gibbs raceing] a team mate of tony but that wont happen Jr is the most pop driver and a good driver as far as points go JR is DEI NOW AND MOST LIKELY ALL WAYS so deal with Teresa
dale jr is the man and his father was the man and still is in my mind but dale jr is a great driver like his dad hes a man and he should be able to make his own decisions on what he wants his life to go forward as a driver or public personality he is the most popular driver in nascar and i think will always be just like his father i am the biggest fan of sr and jr always have been always will be so what ever decision jr makes should be his own that makes him happy and comfortable with his decision
I am a biggest fan of Jr. and just love him to death. I do want so very much that he stays much that Jr stays with DEI, but whatever decision he makes, I hope it
will be a just one. I TELL YOU JR, YOU ARE THE MAN. GO FOR IT. I WISH
YOU ALL THE LUCK AND BE SO VERY HAPPY WHATEVER YOU UNDERTAKE.
DONLIZ
Jan 6th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I am a biggest fan of Jr. and just love him to death. I do want so very
much that he stays with DEI, but whatever decision he makes, I hope it
will be a just one. I TELL YOU JR, YOU ARE THE MAN. GO FOR IT. I WISH
YOU ALL THE LUCK AND BE SO VERY HAPPY WHATEVER YOU UNDERTAKE.
I’ve had to delete some comments on this post because of swearing and personal attacks. Folks, please do not verbally abuse others or swear graphically.
Thank you.
To Auto Racing Sport.com Administrator
Thank you for deleting some of us comments. That Joe just made me mad.
I just can’t stand a man or men who talks ugly, if you know what
I mean.
Junior will be at RCR in 2008, plain and simple.
I believe that JR is a great driver and has it all coming together….i have to agree that I think that there may be some hot heads at DEI that are lookin to get rid of JR
MAN DISREGARD THAT LAST BLOG JR., JUST FOUND OUT THAT BITCH WENT TO JOHN MENARD. THAT AIN’T RIGHT SOMEHOW. EARNHARDT IS EARNHARDT, AND HOUSTON MENARD IS HOUSTON MENARD. WONT THAT BITCH TAKE HALF OF MENARDS SHIT AND LEAVE THE BLOODLINE ALONE. THATS MY PERSONAL OPINION THOUGH. THATS JUST BAD NEWS, IF I LOST MY WIFE, DONT THINK ID EVER WANT ANYONE ELSE PERMANANTLY. GOLD DIGGIN BITCH
SORRY GOT CARRIED AWAY WITH MY FEELINGS.
dei rules with jr druels without