Is it fair to compare Teresa Earnhart to Leona Helmsley?

[RocklandRVers]

My new 2008 Ford Escape came with Sirius Satellite radio free for 6 months and let me tell you I am lovin' it, especially the NASCAR channel 128.

Yesterday on the ride home from work, they were discussing how Teresa is perceived as a wicked old witch since she rarely appears in public or issues press releases to state her side of an issue. This discussion was all centered around her decisions regarding Dale Jr.'s contract and later about her decision to keep the #8 with DEI.

As a manager, I think that any manager or CEO has the right to make decisions in the best interest of the company and should not have to defend them to anyone. However, that said, DEI and Nascar in general are not like other companies in that they depend so much on the media and sponsors who are advertising their products via the cars and drivers.

Perceptions can be devastating in this fickle industry and Teresa could be hurting DEI if the public sees her as evil and in turn stops supporting the products advertised by DEI sponsors. If she can't be the spokeswoman for her company like some of the great CEOs like Lee Iacocca or Orville Redenbacker (to name a few) who were great pitchmen then hire some professional to do it for you.

Should fans and sponsors care about Teresa's management style? Will it hurt DEI or not make any difference as long as its a winning team?

[bigolepig]

It' all about the bottom line... :wink:

[Bignascarfan]

It is all about the cha-ching. The days of integrity are gone. :(
As far as satellite radio, I signed up with XM because at the time they had MRN, :D . Now I am stuck with them until Feb 09. :( I love the fact that when traveling I don’t have to worry about finding a new station every few minutes…. :) There is talk that they might come back to XM, so I will have to wait it out.
:? :roll:

[Buddlite]

I think it might hurt in the long run. Us racin fans are a fickle bunch. I can see folks not buying some products because of her. Be it right or be it wrong. Guess next year will be the real test, when they see how the $$ play out. That's really whats its all about at that level

[madfinnhockey]

I think Dale Sr and Dale Jr put family first, Teresa is all business and doesn't give a hoot about family.

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

very well said.....Sr and Jr were/are very family oriented. Teresa is about the money. I am comforted tho in the old adage...what comes around goes around. She will get what coming to her eventually. Her greed will come back to bite her in the you-know-where. Until then I plan on watching Jr take this opportunity with Hendricks to learn, prosper and hopefully win a championship.

[jennyt43fan]

I believe that Theresa is continuing Dale Sr's legacy as best she knows how. Nobody can deny that she loved the man very much - DEI is THEIR baby and was built to be something to leave ALL the children in the future. She is doing her best to preseve that. IMO.

[Buddlite]

Got to agree with Jenny. Be it right or be it wrong in our eyes, I believe she is doing what she thinks is right. Granted we all might not agree with the way she is going about things (ok not many people do) but she was married to SR for alot of years. I am sure they had alot of conversations about what way to go with things whether he was here or not. We will never be privy to any of that., nor should we. Her business savy made alot of $$ for both of them and the whole family. I am in no way condoning or comdemming the way she is currently going with things, but don't think that she is doing them because of $$, thinks she's following what she believe is the vision they both would have still had for DEI if SR was still here. Alot has been said of the rocky relationship she has had with JR for years, many of those years including when SR was here. I am sure alot of things that happened years ago were with SR's full knowledge and approval. Far as keeping the #8 at DEI, remember that SR drove that # years agao, it was his daddy's #, so I would be inclined to agree with keeping the # at DEI. Either way I would never compare Teresa to Leona. Granted I don't know either one of them personally but seems that Leona was in a class by herself. My thoughts? We lay off Teresa, the #8 business and all that and get on with the business at hand which is to support JR in 08 with his new team

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

I don't disagree that Teresa should keep the #8 with DEI....it was his daddy's # and his grand daddy's at one time.

[Shirley]

If have to go with Teresa on this one. Keep the 8 in the family.

[Bignascarfan]

If have to go with Teresa on this one. Keep the 8 in the family.
:?: :?: Jr is Family :? Blood family like grandpa who drove the 8 befor him......

[Shirley]

JR, left the family to go with Hendrix. JR, wouldn't be getting the 8 Hendrix's would. When I left my family I didn't get to take the bed with me.

[madfinnhockey]

"I believe that Theresa is continuing Dale Sr's legacy as best she knows how."

I agree thats what she's trying to do, but how long can she do that and keep DEI profitable?
Sure, all of us here and even some of our older children know all about Sr. and somehow she'll continue to make money off of us. But when the next generation comes along, they'll have new heros and icons that they'll follow. For example, it wasn't too long ago when King Richard was taking in mucho money from sales of his goods. Today, do you see a "Richard Petty" only trailer at the track the way you see a Dale Sr trailer there? No. It won't be long till the sales of Sr Memorabilia fades away if DEI isn't a contender by then, well.... So she need to concentrate more on making DEI competative, not trying to make his legacy live on forever, cause that just won't happen.

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

I agree that Teresa needs to keep DEI competitive, but also family oriented. In Jr's leaving tho, she has lost not only Jr, but his sister Kelly, and Eury, who is also "family" and is following Jr to Hendricks. I keep asking myself, as a knowledgeable Sr fan, what would Sr think of all this? I believe he would have found a way to keep everyone happy, and not be so concerned about the money aspect of it. Teresa has a head for business, and did a lot for DEI while Sr was alive. I think she's fallen away from their original goals to keep the company going for the "family" and got too involved in making money. And...as a added thought, Does anyone besides me think somethings fishy with her waiting til Jr leaves to make a pact with RCR? Maybe if she had done that beforehand, he wouldn't have left.

[madfinnhockey]

I think he would be rolling over in his grave. The place isn't going in the direction it would be if he were still here.

[Bignascarfan]

I think he would be rolling over in his grave. The place isn't going in the direction it would be if he were still here.
That is correct, his kids would probobly own it.
The Family is Earnhart, The driver of the number 8 has been an Earnhart, and should remain that way. She is in it for the money, and I understand that she wants to make as much of it as she can, but it looks like it is all about her making money and not the family that the business was intended for. (Does that make sence) I dnon't think she is thinking about the company makeing money, I think it is more about Teresa making money, and being a controle freak.....

(I agree to disagree)
Here is some cheese to go with my Wine.
http://www.clphotographics.com/absoluteig/gallery%2FStill%20Life%2FA-wine-and-cheese-gathering-abc-adj-DSC_0305-304-302.jpg

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

Can I share your cheese and wine?

[madfinnhockey]

I agree, family, fairness and teamwork is out the window, its all about her and the power she has over everyone else (and the profits that follow that power).
Lets hope Jr kicks butt next season!!!!!!!!

[Bignascarfan]

Can I share your cheese and wine?

Surrrrrrrre, I have plenty.

Yea I think now that more of the picture has shown it self, I am going to stick with Earnhart Jr as my driver. He and his family are obviously getting the brown end of the stick.

Maybe he and his.......team mates.....(ouch that was hard to say) will drive DEI Into oblivian.... :twisted: :twisted: :lol:

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

couldnt have said it better big man...and I agree totally...thought never crossed my mind to NOT follow Jr's career..in fact..I believe Hendricks can give him a championship..its about time he got some decent backing....sadly it is not from the company his father started

[mtnred]

I wonder what Sr. would be saying about now, if he could have a conversation with Theresa? Shame on her!

[bigolepig]

You know...I had one of "THOSE" thoughts today that I thought I would share...

I was pondering the whole Teresa vs. Dale Jr. thing. She may have got the company & the Number...but Jr. got something that she will never have, and no amount of money will buy it. When his father died, he left him something money can't buy...his fans. He inherited a huge number of loyal Earnhardt Sr. fans and has amassed an uncomprehensible number on his own. That is something worth more than anything that Teresa has and is not willing to share... :wink:

[mtnred]

You are very correct, my dear.

[Bignascarfan]

JR, left the family to go with Hendrix. JR, wouldn't be getting the 8 Hendrix's would. When I left my family I didn't get to take the bed with me.


I did, the the sink toooo :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

[Mrs. Beerlifter]

Well said Melissa.....I have to admit thats mostly why I started following him...those first couple of years were the best watching them race side by side.....