Kelley Earnhardt Elledge not sure deal with DEI and Dale Jr will get done
Quote selected text Published April 13th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, sister, business manager and chief negotiator for Dale Earnhardt Jr., isn’t yet convinced a contract extension with the company their father founded is on the horizon for NASCAR’s biggest star. It’s not that talks are going badly. But many variables exist — and time is precious.
“I don’t know if we’ll get there,” Elledge said of an extension. “It’s hard. When you start talking about the piece of ownership for Dale in [Dale Earnhardt, Inc.], that’s part of my business, too. That’s part of [half-brother] Kerry’s business. That’s part of [half-sister] Taylor’s business. “There’s a whole lot of dynamics that play into it all.”
Two variables, in particular, are crucial to Earnhardt’s desire for a majority stake in ownership of DEI. “One is the family piece,” Elledge explained. “Obviously our dad started [DEI] to field race cars, and all intentions of [Dale Jr.] being a part of that, and the rest of us being a part of it, in terms of my other brothers and sisters. “But I think the biggest reason we want a piece of DEI is for control of [Dale Jr.'s] brand, and where it’s going. They can all coexist — the whole Earnahrdt family — as one big brand. And there’s several brands underneath it.”
Elledge said she and Dale Jr. feel DEI has done a good job maintaining their father’s brand, but that Dale Jr. has an entirely different brand that they want to control and mesh into the overall Earnhardt brand. She said the entrance of new DEI President Max Siegel into the equation has helped tremendously, and is a bright spot that makes her believe an extension is indeed feasible.
“With Max coming onboard, that’s something I can foresee in the long run,” Elledge said. “At this point, we don’t have a lot of time so we’re trying to work really hard to make something of it. “We met last week. I usually talk to Max at least once a day, if only to say ‘Hi.’ We’re keeping in touch and bouncing ideas off each other, because we really are trying to discuss all options.”
Elledge admitted, though, that this is not an easy time to be renegotiating. “You’ve got a new guy on board who’s trying to get the ship turned in the right direction, and you still have Teresa there who’s trusting this new person, and she’s not had anybody in there for a while and things have kind of fell down. “So there’s a rebuilding going on. It’s a bad time to try to renegotiate a contract. You’ve got the old still sticking there, and this new on the horizon that could be really good, and you’re trying to make sense of it all. We’ll see if we can get there.”
- Elledge says all teams still on table for Earnhardt, Jr
- Earnhardt Elledge says Dale Jr contract with Hendrick not done
- Earnhardt Elledge resting comfortably after surgery
- Earnhardt, Jr to decide on new team in next 30 days
- Bond between Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and brother Dale Jr runs deep
Some of our sources indicate talks between Jr’s camp and DEI are stalling. Apparently DEI may not be willing to give up 51% ownership or more (in other words…control of DEI) to Earnhardt, Jr and his siblings.
Like we’ve said before, if Jr doesn’t get control he WILL leave to concentrate on building JR Motorsports but he will NOT drive for the team.
Expect him to drive (IF he leaves) for Richard Childress in his Dad’s #3 with Budweiser or possibly for Hendrick.
I say go Junior go to mr Childress and drive the number 3 . That will kill DEI and he can pick up the pieces after Teresa is out of the picture .
Because I think the other owners will vote her out If Jr leaves because then where will all the cash come from? I know she has some cash but not that kind of money Jr brings in 95 % of the cash to that race team
Truex brings in nothing and he hasnt shown me much as a driver yet.
I hope that Jr wins out one way or the other besides it was his fathers team built fo the Kids. Teresa with her smart remark about him doing advertizements and other things doesnt realize that brings in money and support for Dei. How stipid can she be? She must not be to interested as you never see her at the track or even in the stands or condo’s at the race’s Show’s how much she cares.She’s to busy with Menard and that loser hasnt done anything.He wants to get his hANDS ON teresa money and he will carry the DEI name to the pits.
“Whats dei with out dale earnhardt jr? a museum” its the the truth, and yes he should go to Childress, i think, that his cars are just as good as Hendricks, and that doesnt matter also, its out of respect too. Truex is a great driver, that team has sucked ever since Jeff Green got in and Park left, it lost its touch. Truex can drive the wheels off a busch car, but his cup cars no good, Menard isnt really great, but both those teams are still getting there. Just wait, Truex will be running great in just a year or so, hes running good now. Dont say he cant drive, or say he hasnt shown much, hes shown a boat load of shit, hes got 2 Championships, and how do you think he got to Cup he had to start somewhere.
Check out my racing at Polenzmotorsports.com or Davidpolenz.bravehost.com
David Polenz#3
The way it is…Dale Jr. is DEI. there is no DEI with out the D.E.~The sea of red at every track couldn’t possibly be changed. Budweiser is Jr. The thought of anything else is absurd. I’m sure the buisinessmen at Bud would not have it any other way, and for another person to put any other option out there? would be a buisness idiot…Jr. in a hendrick car…NEVER! the scar would be thick and once again a buisiness idiot. RCR sounds ideal and perfect as the next option, and it sounds so good it makes a good threat. But when it comes down to it we will see who the idiot is, and if I go by my gut noone will want to be IT. The right thing will be done. I am sad that the buisiness crosses the line before the car. But that is the NASCAR we have and it is that way. The do what ever it takes to win point of view from Sr. that should be the base of DEI will come through. This will go away and everyone will find there place. Then we will race cars and the wheel will be in the hands of the worthy. If what I hear is true about dale having to negotiate last time for the right to his own name, we may be in for a shocker. If so the red #3 budweiser of RCR would be a acceptable hold over to the renogotiation of interest in DEI. On Davids side with Truex. Great driver and definately a great and rising team. The future is good. Lets all see what the new motor brings? RCR will show. and thats where I believe the focus should be. get the new r07 revin’ and we will all be asking Teresa how Kelly’s decisions have made a better team and how she is enjoying her retirement in Florida. hey maybe she could even make it to Daytona?~~~JOSH
Everybody wants Jr to drive the # 3 for RCR but there is no 3 no more. Nascar Retired it not Childress.
With DEI going downhill over the past couple years I’d love to see Jr with a different team like Childress or Hendrick but DEI is the company his dad started and one of the reasons was to let his kids take over later on. And now I do believe it’s time to let Jr in to clean up the mess. In my opinion it’s long over due. And he has plans for DEI to do just that, turn everything around. DEI would definately be in big trouble without Dale JR.
uh oh, whats this, junior drove a hendrick car? and he said he like dit!