Whats up at DEI?

[Nascarcamping]

Does anyone know what is going on between Junior and his mother?

Seems like the press is talking about it a lot, she said he needs to chose between being a driver or a celebrity :shock:

[madfinnhockey]

There was an article in the wall street journal, think Dec 11 or 14th. The article was on Ms Earnhardt and a new hire at DEI, and in the article there was that one sentance on Jr (drive or be a celebrity). I've read a few more online articles about the same thing. His contract is up in 07, and it sounds as if he would like some ownership in the company, and overall, contract negotiations aren't going well according to the articles I've read (his sister Kelly is his manager).
I think that if he leaves DEI, he'll surely get a good deal where ever he goes, but DEI would be the loser, he's their main man. If he goes, I bet Bud goes with him, as well as Tony & Tony Jr. Time will tell.



http://www.comcast.net/sports/motorsports/index.jsp?cat=AUTORACING&fn=/2007/01/08/557659.html

[Nascarcamping]

You wonder when he will strike out on his own....

Wow, I just read that article, things dont seem that good, I bet you if Junior had the right people helping to manage him, he could do very well on his own.

If he did go out on his own, maybe Theresa would then see how the true worth of DEI IS jr.

This will be an interesting year, but wherever Junior goes he will land on his feet, he is a sponsors dream.

[RPFAN]

I would say that if Jr ever left DEI, either he would be on his own or...RCR! :mrgreen:

[madfinnhockey]

I go with RP Fan that he could end up at RCR, and maybe in the 3. There have to be a lot of close ties between Jr. and Richard Childress, and can you imagine the fan reaction if that does happen, fans would go wild over it (in a good way).

As someone else had written on another board, its surprising that Dale Sr. didn't have a plan (will) in case something happend that would leave some of the buisness to his children.

If Jr. does leave to go anywhere, that would really leave DEI in a hole, and regardless of who they got for a driver, they would surely lose a lot of supporters.

[69novass]

HMMMM A Black 3 car with a BUD on the hood and Jr at the wheel Sounds good to me :D

[69novass]

As far as a hole at DEI ,I thibk she dug a deep one in 05 when she gave Waltrip JR's crew I personally dont believe there was a riff between Jr and Tony ,I think it was all politics

[Nascarcamping]

I read the column in full the other day about the rift, and was really surprised, I personally had no idea things where that bad between him and Theresa.

My bet is that if he does not get part-ownership he will be gone elsewhere.

RCR is a good bet, the article was also interesting in stating ( almost fact like) that it was going to happen that someday he would drive the 3 car in black, man can you imagine that day :o

I agree also, without JR DEI is nothing.....

[madfinnhockey]

hey 65novass, regarding the crew switch in 05, I had read somewhere that it wasn't because of a riff between Jr and Tony that caused the switch, but it had to do with either NAPA, or Mikey, saying that they weren't doing well because DEI was giving the best equipment and crew to JR.

The story went on to say that the wholesale swap of crew and equipment was made to prove to NAPA (or Mikey) that it wasn't the equipment or crew that was causing the 15 to have the season it was having.

If I can dig up that article I'll post it.

[69novass]

I'd love to see Jr in the 3 drivin for RCR man that would be a powerhouse team. I heard the NAPA Mikey story to ,and that really burned me on Theresa and Waltrip , Jr had agreat 04 and could've gotten the crown in 05 with that team in my opinion

[69novass]

My doberman Zeus wears #3 or #8 garb on race day ,well I stoped at my local NAPA store (I am a NAPA service center) and usually I bring Zeus and we were talkin about DEI and the counter guys started laughin at zeus ,He took a dump right by a Mikey standup :D He got a few treats that day ,Good Boy TRUE STORY

[Fundytrail]

I know I'm off topic but;

It's only 16 days until the Bud Shootout!
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Can't wait. :P

UPDATED 25JAN07

I HAVE CREATED A NEW TOPIC IN FANS LOUNGE FOR THIS SUBJECT CALLED 2007 BUD SHOOTOUT

[madfinnhockey]

keep that clock counting down Fundy!
Back to the DEI thing, if you google Dale Earnhardt Jr contract, you'll get links to lots of recent articles, sounds as if DEI knows they have to keep him, now its up to them to give him what he wants. I wonder if it will be taken care of before the season starts.

[Nascarcamping]

Jan 24, 7:37 PM EST
Gordon Thinks Junior Will Leave DEI

By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Jeff Gordon believes it will be hard for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to stay with his late father's company because of the public battle between the driver and his stepmother.

Junior is in the final year of his contract at Dale Earnhardt Inc., and negotiations on a new deal recently exposed the difficult relationship he shares with Teresa Earnhardt. She recently questioned his commitment in a Wall Street Journal article, which angered NASCAR's most popular driver.

As the sides now try to pull their contract talks in-house, Gordon said Wednesday that it may be too late.

"I think that if he's smart, he'll do what's best for him and I hope that's at DEI, I really do," Gordon said during a press event for Hendrick Motorsports. "Is that reality? I think it's gone too far. When it gets ugly in the media, it's usually very, very difficult to rebound from that."

Gordon has enjoyed a long and stable relationship with car owner Rick Hendrick, who signed Gordon in 1992 and eventually rewarded him with a lifetime contract. So he's never had the public contract squabbles that several drivers have had in the past few years.

But no negotiations have been watched as closely as Junior's. He has said he wants some control at DEI, the company founded by his late father, and Teresa said last week that she's willing to discuss it with him.

Whether that's enough remains to be seen, Gordon said.

"I think that you've got a little stubbornness going on there," Gordon said. "Junior is in the seat to be able to write his own ticket, he can do whatever he wants. He can go to any team, he can start his own team, he's got the sponsors who are going to back him, the fans that are going to back him.

"He's really in the power position, and if Teresa is not recognizing that, then shame on her ... if she doesn't recognize that DEI will have a tough time surviving without Junior, I think she's making a big mistake."

On Tuesday, rival driver Kevin Harvick called Teresa "a deadbeat owner," because she very rarely is seen at the race track. Harvick's comments put Junior in the awkward position of having to defend her, and Teresa received more support Wednesday from Hendrick, who said she shouldn't be judged by the amount of time spent at the track.

"I think people manage different ways, and I think if she's got good people at the racetrack ... it's really her business if she wants to be there or not," Hendrick said. "I know Joe Gibbs, he didn't come much this year, but (son) J.D. (Gibbs) stepped up and did the job. So I sure don't think she deserves any criticism."


....well that about sums it up, if gordon says this kind of stuff, maybe he and Jr have been talking, who knows.....

[madfinnhockey]

Wow, I'd love to be a fly on the wall listening in at DEI right now! Gordon is right about Jr, he can write his own ticket, so now the ball is in DEI's court. And talking about Jr getting some control at DEI, how about Kelly and Kerry! This could get very, very interesting, and I bet both Jr & DEI would like to get this settled before the season is in full swing.

[madfinnhockey]

Theres been a bit published on the negotations between Jr & DEI, indicating that its going forward, but I just found this on FOX Sports, text from an interview between Fox Sports Lee Spencer and Richard Childress. But, I from what I've read recently, my gut tells me Jr will be at DEI next season.


But the question on everyone's mind has to be the possibility of a fourth team — especially with the Dale Jr./Teresa Earnhardt family feud in full throttle. R.C. has never backed off from acknowledging his willingness to field "a car" for Junior if there was ever a necessity for it. Necessity, it appears could be right around the next corner.

"Have you spoken with Junior?" I asked R.C. The question hung in the air for a moment. Then Childress pulled me away from the counter — and anyone else within earshot.

"Is there a deal on the table?"

"No comment," Childress answers safely.

"Are you kidding me?" I respond.

Childress pulls me close, lifts his Maui Jim shades and exposes his baby blues. He doesn't have to say another word.

R.C., your secret is safe with me.

[Nascarcamping]

hhhmmmmmmmm :?

and to add to this, today while listening to Sirius radio, they where talking about the " Dale the Movie" and what Jr's reaction to it was.

He said it was very truthful, but one thing did strike out at me, and I dont know if the reporter meant to say it this way, or if people who will watch the movie will take it this way, but Jr says that the movie was very truthful at depicting how hard his relationship is/was with Theresa.

So, when I heard this, based on the mood right now, I was imagining people in the theatre booing Theresa when they saw her on the screen, just like something out of " Rocky Horror Picture Show.."

If the show gets this type of reaction to her, it could just add fuel to the fire.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at the interview eh madFinnhockey :P

[madfinnhockey]

I did some surfing today and read that DEI has given Jeffery Earnhardt (17 year old son of Kerry) a "long term driving services" contract! Sounds like he's been doing some driving, and they are going to try to develop him, starting in the Busch East series working with Andy Santerre.

Then, the article continues, Kerry Earnhardt has joined DEI in a "role that will give him variouse responsibilities with everything from the race teams to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and Earhnarde Chevrolet dealerships.

Now I'm betting that Jr is going to be offered a sweet deal! Any bettors out there?

[Nascarcamping]

I would bet that something happens with JR, simply from a business standpoint it makes sense.

If Junior left, either way DEI would lose and he would gain.

If Jr did leave though, it would probably be one of the biggest stories in the last few years....

[Nascarcamping]

So today, Junior said that during a meeting with DEI, that he wants majority interest in the team.

I was listening in on Sirius to the talk about this, and not many people thought that would be a good idea.... :?

Round and Round we go, whoops, all pun intended :lol:

[Nascarcamping]

More people and reporters are saying that DEI will be done for if Jr leaves, and/or does not get majority ownership.....

[madfinnhockey]

this DEI / Jr thing is getting huge now... yes, if he leaves, what will become of DEI, but, is his step-mom willing to give up control of the company. He holds all the cards now, maybe we should start a poll to see what people think he'll do. I believe the 2 top choices are, he gets control of DEI, or he goes to Childress and they roll out the #3.

But, could an active, full time driver with lots of sponsorship committments, actually control an organization as big as DEI, and do a good job of it? How many driver owned teams have really done well in NASCAR? You have Robbie Gordon, but heck, hes a small 1 car team (I think), and who knows how well Waltrip will do this year. I mean, DEI is a big organization....

Thoughts?

[Fundytrail]

The so-called rocky relationship between Teresa Earnhardt and step-son Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared to be on good terms Sunday during pre-race ceremonies for the Daytona 500. Teresa went to Jr.'s side on pit road about 20 minutes before the start engines command. The two hugged and posed for pictures...