TMS to change billboard at request of Kelley Earnhardt Elledge
Quote selected text Published January 31st, 2008 in NASCAR News
Texas Motor Speedway officials have agreed to replace a billboard highlighting the strained relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother after a complaint from his business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge.
The controversial billboard, located near the track, shows a picture of Earnhardt Jr. and says “Reason #88: Step-Mom” with the track’s Web site listed underneath it to promote the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the track in April. The billboard is part of a campaign dubbed “Reasons” that TMS devised to help sell tickets for its race.
Earnhardt Jr. left Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is owned by his stepmother, Teresa, after the 2007 season to go to Hendrick Motorsports, where he will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet.
The new billboard will say “Reason #88: New Car Smell” and will be up in a week to 12 days, TMS President Eddie Gossage said Thursday.
Earnhardt Elledge, who had told NASCAR Scene that she thought the original billboard was “completely inappropriate” earlier in the week, declined further comment. Gossage said he told Earnhardt Elledge, the driver’s sister as well as his business manager, on Wednesday that if she were uncomfortable with the billboard, he was willing to change it.
Gossage said the new billboard has the approval of Earnhardt Elledge, who told him that she and her brother were trying to move on since last year’s highly publicized split between Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc.
“Obviously it’s edgy, no question about that,” Gossage said of the billboard. “I didn’t expect we would change them out, but if that’s what they want, out of respect for the Earnhardts, that’s what we’ll do, no problem.”
- Earnhardt Elledge resting comfortably after surgery
- Earnhardt Elledge says Dale Jr contract with Hendrick not done
- Elledge says all teams still on table for Earnhardt, Jr
- Earnhardt, Jr to decide on new team in next 30 days
- Earnhardt Elledge to ‘get back to work’ soon
hahaha. too bad..
haha that’s pretty funny.
Yes, it’s funny. Anyone got a pic of it? LOL
That’s too funny!
I thought it was funny..I see this sign like 3 times a week, and it always makes me laugh.. I even think they have one for Tony …reason #20..anger management.. we dont see him gettin pissed about this sign.. oh well.guess some cant take common humor..
Relax Kelly… Geez! Where’s your sense of humor?
Although I haven’t seen the billboard, I live 15 miles away from
the track. I’ll try to find it this weekend and snap a photo of it.
P.S. Mr. Gossage is a very respectable, genuine, and kind person.
Dale Sr. was a personal of his and I’m certain that Mr. Gossage didn’t find
anything inappropriate (or untrue) with the billboard.
Jr and Kelley jumped ship and shouldn’t look back to see what happens to TEI on some freaking billboard. Come, on. Get over her already!
Funny. Wish I could have seen it.
Someone has the pic up on infieldparking.com. It is pretty funny but from what I’ve read and understand they are just wanting to move on. And Jr doesn’t want his younger sister Taylor to be hurt by all they keep saying about her mother…
If you want to see it go to: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar
Thanks Marie!
I guess the truth hurts sometimes.
Yes the sign is kind of humorous but at the same time it is unappropiate given the
fact Jr. has made it very plane he wants to put all that behind him.
Kelley was just doing what she has all her life, Looking Out for her little bro.
Justin4Roush wrote:
There is no hurt here, just a desire to start a new way of life at a new job for Junior
with out all the past years BS so lets give him his chance to see what he can do with out
the Bitch at his back…
Amen Bob!
Dixie Chicks said it best in my opinion. And with that being
said I don’t need to go there, but will. Texas is where my
daddy was born and raised, and there remains numerous family
and friends, still. I love the yellow rose state - I do but
sometimes I wonder…been there and know so without going
there let me just say if a tatic for profits, isn’t there
some other way. Perhaps just ignornace in marketing, or
maybe a case of bad taste ‘hoof-n-mouth’ without regard for
asking. Family can I? If you say ‘all in fun - “give me a break
just humor” fine but tell me what does respect have to do with
it? Personally I don’t see a big deal, not of my business
but to them ‘it’s there’s so leave it - alone”
Enough Already - Dale is his own man and proven. He’s been trying
with or without his sister to have and hold. Better be holding
as isn’t that normal? Why is that a bad thing, biotch
or not because I say if it bothers any of them…..
That women knows that heartbeat of that “family” better
than any of us. We may think we do, but I know for a fact,
I don’t. But a Race Fan for over 30 years and if I have ever
seen courage under fire it’s with that guy “dale earnhardt jr”
and he knows who does for his best interest. He has said it
himself, and yet if not I think man enough to step in and
let it rip.
“troubling” because we all have learned to step on out
of our own box and shoot ‘chit’ but all I read is anger,
and we certainly do have that done - good don’t we. On such
supid stuff but ask to do and that’s a whole different
act in life.
Forever, Faithfully
(loyal to all the Earnhardt Family)
tangotwistersisteramen
I find it very annoying (as well as inappropriate) to see people putting their nose in someone elses family business. JR made a comment during a race last year i believe for everyone to drop it and leave her alone. When it comes down to it whether their relationship was good or not, she’s still his stepmom and was married to his dad. whatever rifts among the family…i think should be their own business. I dont think its right for someone else to openly judge whats going on and also the third grade name calling about her. Business is business and Family is family. Some “pathetic” people that have nothing else better to do should stay out of family issues that are not their own. enough said!
oh and last but not least
forever a earnhardt fan